Introduction of point of care ultrasound into the neonatal intensive care unit

Affordable Implementation of a Point-of-Care Ultrasound Program in a Large Tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to Assess Umbilical Venous Catheter Tips and Aid Central Placement

OBJECTIVE

 This study aimed to implement a point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) program into a large neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to enhance care by improving (1) umbilical venous catheter (UVC) tip identification and (2) central placement.

STUDY DESIGN

 A POCUS program was established with core providers who received training from external and internal experts. A prospective study (n = 94) compared the accuracy of UVC identification between neonatology-performed ultrasound (NeoUS) and X-ray relative to a referent of radiology-interpreted ultrasound. Finally, an ultrasound-guided UVC insertion protocol was introduced to rescue noncentral traditionally placed catheters (n = 37).

RESULTS

 Program implementation trained six providers for a total cost of approximately $10,500 USD. NeoUS was more accurate than X-ray at identifying UVC location (81.9 vs. 60.6%) with improved sensitivity and specificity (80.0 and 84.6 vs. 52.5 and 66.7%, respectively). POCUS guidance was able to rescue 89.2% of catheters that were originally noncentral.

CONCLUSION

 POCUS implementation in a large NICU is feasible, affordable, and can improve quality of care.

KEY POINTS

· POCUS implementation is feasible and affordable.. · POCUS is more accurate than X-ray at monitoring UVCs.. · Central UVC placement can be increased with POCUS..

Ultrasound-guided pediatric vascular cannulation by inexperienced operators: outcomes in a training model

OBJECTIVE

To present the results of an ultrasound vascular cannulation (UGVC) training program for inexperienced operators using a training model.

METHOD

This was a descriptive observational study developed in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a third-level hospital. Operators received basic theoretical training in the USVC technique, followed by practical training with a model designed for USVC-inexperienced healthcare professionals.

RESULTS

The study included 25 healthcare professionals, who carried out a total of 300 ultrasound-guided cannulation procedures (12 per participant) at equidistant sites on the longitudinal axis/in-plane (LA/IP) and the transverse axis/out-of-plane (TA/OP). The mean depth of cannulated vessels was 0.90 (0.34) cm and their mean diameter was 0.41 (0.1) cm. In 41.7% of cases, complete view of the needle (CVN) was accomplished; in 49% of cases, repositioning of the needle/guidewire (RNG) was necessary for successful UGVC. The rate of successful UGVC in the training model was 79.7%. The mean time required for the procedure was 74.70 (73.72) seconds. The time to successful cannulation was 58.72 (56.87) seconds. The mean number of attempts needed until successful UGVC was 1.31 (0.72). Complications were: (a) 26.3% vessel perforation/wrong guidewire positioning (VP/WGP) and (b) 4.3% successful vessel puncture followed by failure to accomplish subsequent cannulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Through the present theoretical-practical training program for inexperienced operators using a training model: (a) high success rates and short procedural times were attained; (b) complete view of needle and need for repositioning the needle/guidewire occurred in half of the procedures; and (c) complications occurred in a third of the procedures.

Implementing point of care ultrasound in the neonatal intensive care unit: a safety study

OBJECTIVE

Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) use is increasing in pediatrics and has been demonstrated to be superior in identifying central catheter tip location in neonatal intensive care units. However, limited data exist regarding cardiorespiratory changes secondary to POCUS in neonates.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective observational equivalence study was performed on 50 POCUS assessments of central catheter tip location in 46 patients ≥23 weeks gestation. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and percent oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels were collected before and after POCUS. Limits of equivalence were set in advance.

RESULT

Equivalence was demonstrated in HR, RR, and SpO2 before and after POCUS. HR decreased by 3.24 beats per minute (90% CI: -5.36, -1.14). RR increased by 0.71 breath/min (90% CI: -1.84, +3.27). SpO2 increased by 0.54 percentage points (90% CI: -0.23, +1.31).

CONCLUSION

Identifying central catheter tip location using POCUS in neonates appears safe without affecting cardiorespiratory stability.