Precourse

Ultrasound Precourse – Course Outline

• Course Duration: 1 full day
• Eligibility: This course is intended for clinicians applying PoCUS in emergency settings.
• Course director: Effie Polyzogopoulou

Modules:

01. — Prehospital Ultrasound Module: Effie Polyzogopoulou

This foundational module is designed for clinicians working in prehospital, retrieval, and emergency medicine who wish to integrate ultrasound into patient assessment and management before hospital arrival. This module introduces the use of ultrasound in prehospital and retrieval environments, focusing on rapid, focused scanning techniques to guide triage, resuscitation, and transport decisions.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to understand the principles, scope, and limitations of PoCUS in prehospital and retrieval settings.

To optimize ultrasound image quality and interpretation in field conditions, perform focused ultrasound in trauma and cardiac arrest, as well as a focused cardiac, thoracic, abdominal, and vascular assessment, and apply a modified RUSH (Rapid Ultrasound in Shock and Hypotension) protocol for structured assessment and decision-making in prehospital shock and trauma.

02. — Advanced abdominal ultrasound Module: Zeki Atesli

This course is intended for clinicians who has basic abdominal ultrasound training and is ficused on advaced techniques in emergency settings.

By the end of the Emergency Ultrasound Advanced Abdominal course, participants will understand the fundamental principles of ultrasound physics and be able to optimize image quality using appropriate machine settings while recognizing common imaging artifacts. They will be able to perform advanced abdominal ultrasound based on 5 different small modules. Participants will learn to evaluate advanced liver and gallbladder ultrasound, acute appendicitis, kidneys, and the abdominal aorta for aneurysm. Skills at the end will be probe selection, ergonomics, and machine setup, image optimization techniques , sonoanatomy of abdomen with advanced techniques and image documentation.

03. — Ultrasound guided nerve and fascial plane blocks in trauma Module lead: Chris Yap

This module will provide an introduction to ultrasound guided nerve and fascial plane blocks deemed of high value to emergency physicians in their daily practice. By providing a foundation to work on, the participant will then be able to apply the principles and skills to any other blocks that are useful in their scope of practice.

By the end of the course, participants will understand the foundational principles of regional anaesthesia, including identifying relevant nerves and fascial planes, visualizing the needle under ultrasound, and safely performing peripheral nerve and fascial plane blocks. They will practice needling techniques, developing precision and confidence through simulated challenges. Participants will gain practical experience in performing key ultrasound-guided blocks, including fascia iliaca compartment blocks (suprainguinal and infrainguinal) for hip fractures, femoral and popliteal nerve blocks, and chest wall blocks such as the serratus anterior and erector spinae plane blocks. The course will also provide an overview of upper limb regional anaesthesia options and include practical training in performing a tibialis posterior block.

Effie Polyzogopoulou, is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She is the Vice Chair of the University Emergency Department at Attikon University Hospital in Athens, Greece.

She was trained in Emergency Medicine and Emergency Ultrasound at the New York Presbyterian Queens Hospital, NYC, USA.

She is the Chair of the Ultrasound Section at the European Society for Emergency Medicine (EUSEM), Course Director in EUSEM Emergency Ultrasound pre-courses (2022-2023), instructor at International and European Emergency Ultrasound courses, Founder and Director of National Emergency Ultrasound Courses for many years.

She has a special interest in Emergency Ultrasonography. Her current research work and scientific interest are focused on Emergency Ultrasonography/Echocardiography, Medical Education, and Acute Cardiovascular Care.

She is an Examiner in the European Board Examination in Emergency Medicine (EBEEM)and a member of the Emergency Medicine Examination Reference Group for Europe (EMERGE).
She has a leading role in Emergency Medicine in Greece. Program director of the Emergency Medicine Supraspecialty in Attikon University Hospital, and member of the Exam Committee of the National Board Examinations for Emergency Medicine.

She enjoys traveling around the world, taking photos, and going to rock concerts.

Chris Yap is a Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital, the major trauma center for South Yorkshire in the UK.

He is a passionate leader in Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) education, driven by a mission to simplify the subject and demonstrate its vital role in Emergency Medicine.

Chris holds a Diploma in Medical Ultrasound and actively contributes to the field as POCUS Lead for his department and as Chair of the POCUS sub-committee for the Royal College of Emergency Medicine.

Furthermore, he is the Medical Quality Lead (Clinical Governance) for his local ED.

He has organized and taught POCUS courses locally, nationally, and internationally, sharing his expertise at numerous conferences.

When he’s not in the hospital, this “outdoor city” resident is an enthusiastic adventurer. Chris has splitboarded across the Alps, the Arctic Circle, New Zealand, and most recently, Greenland. He also enjoys road and mountain biking, with his greatest sporting achievement being, proudly, not drowning while learning to surf.

Senior Lecturer Uroš Zafošnik, B.Sc., M.A. (Social Work)

Uroš Zafošnik is a Senior Lecturer and Master of Social Work with extensive experience in emergency medical services and healthcare simulation. He is an international ITLS and MTS instructor and a national instructor in prehospital care.

At the Faculty of Health Sciences in Novo mesto, he teaches Emergency Medical Care and Management of Traumatological Conditions in Out-of-Hospital Settings. Since 2014, he has directed the SIM Center at the Ljubljana Health Center, advancing simulation-based training and promoting a multidisciplinary approach to patient care that integrates social work principles.

1. 9:00 – 10:15 (75 min)

ABCDE, Pediatric BLS & ALS

Scenarios:

• Pediatric cardiac arrest,
• basic and advanced life support.

10:15 -10;30 pauza

2. 10:30 – 11:45 (75 min)

Pulmonary & Circulatory Emergencies

Scenarios:

• Anaphylaxis,
• septic shock,
• hypovolemic shock.

11.45-12.00 pauza

3. 12:00 – 13:15 (75 min)

Trauma & Environmental Emergencies

Scenarios:

• Head injury.

13.15 -14.30 lunch

4. 14:30 – 15:45 (75 min)

Toxicology & Infectious Emergencies

Scenarios:

• Medication poisoning.