Ultrasonography is an integral part of modern critical care medicine. It incorporates multiple diagnostic techniques, guidance for the procedures and monitoring. A large part of ultrasonography in intensive care setting falls on echocardiography.
Transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography became invaluable for rapid bedside assessment of haemodynamically unstable patients. As knowledge and experience have been built in this area over the last three decades, it became apparent that critical care has many specifics requiring exclusive expertise to enable correct interpretation of echocardiographic data, its incorporation in complex physiological picture and integration with multiple information sources and pharmacological interventions. Dynamic assessment became a norm. Then, echocardiographic monitoring was introduced into the clinical practice. Research in critical care echocardiography was presented from all parts of the World. With the explosion in knowledge, teaching became a necessity.
SGH ICU undertook a complete review of its echocardiography program in 2011. A highly experienced and skilled in critical care echocardiography staff was appointed with a view to progress SGH ICU into a centre of excellence in echo service and training. Critical care echocardiography laboratory was established in 2012 with full archiving and reporting capabilities, linked to the cardiology and hospital’s mainframe. Ultraportable, portable and full-frame state of the art echo scanners were introduced in daily practice. More than a half of all echocardiographic studies in ICU and HDU are currently done in-house with the aim to achieve 80-90% self-sufficiency in the next 2 years. This will allow to free valuable human resources within the cardiology department. Strong collegial links were built with cardiology colleagues based on deep mutual respect and common values. Joint QA and educational sessions became a part of everyday practice.
For 2019 position inquiries, please contact Michele.Cawley@health.nsw.gov.au or konstantin.yastrebov@health.nsw.gov.au.