About the Intensive Care Echo and Basic Lung Ultrasound programme
ICE-BLU
The ICE-BLU project covers the theoretical knowledge required undertake hands-on training in focused echo and lung ultrasound in intensive care. It is designed for all clinicians interested in assessment of critically ill patients, including those in anaesthesia, intensive care, emergency and acute medicine.
It introduces the physics of ultrasound, anatomy and basic views, left and right ventricular function, life-threatening pathologies, basic lung ultrasound and some of the limitations and pitfalls that may be encountered.
DICE
The DICE sessions go beyond the FICE curriculum, to explain Doppler theory and demonstrate the value of spectral and colour flow Doppler imaging in clinical practice.
More information
ICE-BLU
Ultrasound of the heart and lungs in the critically ill patient is a non-invasive, easy-to-perform and valuable mode of bedside imaging. A focused cardiac and lung ultrasound examination can identify serious and life-threatening pathology in the haemodynamically unstable patient, and guide management.
Bodies such as the UK Resuscitation Council are promoting the integration of basic echo and lung ultrasound into the assessment of intensive care patients, and hands-on training courses are widespread
The ICE-BLU sessions will interactively teach the theoretical knowledge required prior to attending a hands-on training course, and includes a final MCQ session, which allows the production of a CPD certificate for those who have completed all eight sessions.
DICE
Doppler imaging can enhance the clinical information obtained by echo in cardiac pathology, and the DICE sessions explore beyond FICE to discuss the theory and application of Doppler modes for non-specialist echo users.
Whereas ICE-BLU is endorsed by the ICS as the elearning package for FICE-accreditation, DICE has been developed independently, and is outside the FICE curriculum. Trainees of Doppler echocardiography must have appropriate clinical supervision, and users must practice as self-regulating practitioners.
Sample session
Please note that if you access the content below, your progress and completion of the session will not be recorded and you will not be able to generate a record of completion.
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Anatomy and Basic Views
The following sample session explains the anatomy of the heart and lungs related to ultrasound imaging. Building on this knowledge, the basic views used in intensive care echo and basic lung ultrasound are then described.
Module Editors
Alison Parnell
Consultant Cardiothoracic AnaesthetistNick Morgan-Hughes
Consultant Cardiothoracic AnaesthetistDave Woodward
Consultant Cardiothoracic Anaesthetist
Rest of the Team/Co-authors
Jonathan Rosser
Specialty Registrar in Anaesthesia & Intensive CareAkos Marko
Consultant Cardiothoracic AnaesthetistPaddy Knowles
Consultant Cardiothoracic Anaesthetist
Mark Millar
Project Manager, HEE elearning for healthcare
Jen Vaniwaarden
Lead Learning Designer, HEE elearning for healthcare
How to access
In order to access the Intensive Care Echo and Basic Lung Ultrasound programme, you will need an elfh account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below.
To view the Intensive Care Echo and Basic Lung Ultrasound programme, select the View button below. If you already have an account with elfh, you will also be able to login and enrol on the programme from the View button.
NHS healthcare staff in England
The Intensive Care Echo and Basic Lung Ultrasound programme is also available to NHS healthcare staff via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). Accessing this elearning via ESR means that your completions will transfer with you throughout your NHS career.
Further details are available here.
Not an NHS organisation?
If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access elfh Hub, you may be able to access the service by creating an OpenAthens account.
To check whether or not you qualify for free access via OpenAthens, you can view the eligibility criteria and register on the ‘OpenAthens’ portal.
Registering large numbers of users
If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the Intensive Care Echo and Basic Lung Ultrasound programme, please contact elfh directly.
Organisations wishing to use their own LMS
For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.
How to license
In the event that you do not qualify for free access to the Intensive Care Echo and Basic Lung Ultrasound programme, you are able to license access through eIntegrity, a community-interest company established for this purpose.
You can check whether or not you qualify for free access by clicking on the ‘Register’ button above.
For more information on the licensing options available for the Intensive Care Echo and Basic Lung Ultrasound programme, please visit the eIntegrity website.
More information
Please select the following link for more information on how to use the elfh Hub.