SURGISCAN (POCUS for surgery)

Service Description

Surgical POCUS Certification Course This is an intensive, 2.5-day immersion course specifically designed for surgeons seeking rapid mastery of high-yield Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) skills. The curriculum emphasizes extensive "probe-in-hand" practice using standardized patients and is built to meet the rigorous standards for the Canadian Point Of Care Ultrasound Society (CPoCUS) Diagnostic Track Independent Practitioner (IP) certification. Participants will gain the confidence and technical proficiency to use POCUS as a critical diagnostic adjunct in acute care and surgical settings. Core Learning Modules The course focuses on four critical diagnostic examinations: 1. Hepatobiliary Assessment (Gallbladder): Participants will master visualizing the gallbladder to identify gallstones and recognize the specific signs of acute cholecystitis (wall thickening, fluid, sonographic Murphy's sign). 2. Abdominal Aorta / AAA Assessment: Focus on the accurate measurement of the abdominal aorta and the confident identification of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), including recognizing surrounding free fluid indicative of potential rupture. 3. Renal & Bladder Assessment: Training includes detecting hydronephrosis to rule out obstruction, visualizing renal and bladder calculi, and accurately assessing bladder volume to diagnose urinary retention. 4. Vascular Assessment (DVT): Mastery of the comprehensive compression exam on the lower, proximal limb to effectively rule in/rule out Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), aiding in the assessment of pulmonary embolism risk. The Immediate Surgical Advantage Integrating these modules provides surgeons with rapid diagnostic certainty, reducing reliance on external services and streamlining patient management: - Emergency Triage & Shock: E.g Rapidly confirm/rule out AAA in undifferentiated Shock OR instantly differentiate biliary colic from acute cholecystitis - Post Op complications: E.g Quickly assess Oliguria to determine etiology (obstruction, retention or renal failure) OR screen for DVT before discharge. - Improve clinical diagnostic accuracy and decision making at the bedside.