Vascular Ultrasound

Module Goal

To provide basic instruction for performing a lower extremity (LE) vascular ultrasound exam to screen for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and to assess for abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Target Audience

Providers in any practice setting looking to incorporate point of care ultrasound into patient care in any acute care setting (Physicians, NP, PA, RN, trainees).

Module Learning Objectives

List the indications for performing a lower extremity vascular ultrasound examination for deep vein thrombosis
Summarize the strengths and limitations of a compression-only DVT scan
Describe the optimal machine settings, probe selection, and probe orientation for obtaining adequate images
Identify anatomic branch points most susceptible to DVT formation
Recognize ultrasound findings consistent with the presence of DVT
Describe the limitations and pitfalls of the compression-only LE DVT scan
Identify normal anatomy of the abdominal aorta
Recognize findings of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Accreditation Statement

The Society of Hospital Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Statement Designation

The Society of Hospital Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Release Date: November 1, 2024

Expiration Date: November 1, 2027

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Policy

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, SHM requires that individuals in a position to control the content of an educational activity disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. SHM mitigates all conflicts of interest to ensure independence, objectivity, balance, and scientific rigor in all its educational programs. All relevant financial relationships shall be disclosed to participants prior to the start of the activity.

Furthermore, SHM seeks to verify that all scientific research referred to, reported, or used in a continuing medical education (CME) activity conforms to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis. SHM is committed to providing its learners with high-quality CME activities that promote improvements in healthcare and not those of a commercial interest.

Faculty & Disclosures

Authors
Thomas Robertson, MD

Linda Kurian, MD FHM

Editors
Trevor Jensen, MD

Charles LoPresti, MD, SFHM

The faculty and planners of these activities have no relevant relationships to disclose unless denoted below. All relevant relationships were mitigated prior to the start of this activity.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Policy

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, SHM requires that individuals in a position to control the content of an educational activity disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. SHM mitigates all conflicts of interest to ensure independence, objectivity, balance, and scientific rigor in all its educational programs. All relevant financial relationships shall be disclosed to participants prior to the start of the activity.

Furthermore, SHM seeks to verify that all scientific research referred to, reported, or used in a continuing medical education (CME) activity conforms to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis. SHM is committed to providing its learners with high-quality CME activities that promote improvements in healthcare and not those of a commercial interest.

Accreditation Statement

The Society of Hospital Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Statement Designation

The Society of Hospital Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.25 MOC points [and patient safety MOC credit] in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.