Training activity information
Details
Perform ultrasound scans following a set protocol to identify:
- Normal extracranial carotid
- Vertebral
- Subclavian artery anatomy
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee​.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Local SOPs
- National, international guidelines and standards
- Documentation and record keeping
- Use of machine controls
- Principles of Doppler ultrasound
- Selection of appropriate probes for patient/vessel
- Patient positioning and exam technique
- Anatomy of the extracranial carotid, vertebral and subclavian arteries on ultrasound
- Patient centred care and support
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What are the key steps and considerations within the set protocols for scanning the extracranial carotid, vertebral, and subclavian arteries? How will you ensure you follow these steps?
- Are you confident that you know the normal anatomy of the extracranial carotid, vertebral and subclavian artery?
- What anatomical landmarks do you need to be aware of to identify the CCA, ICA and ECA with ultrasound?
- What preparation will you undertake to ensure you are familiar with the normal ultrasound appearance of these arteries, including B-mode and Doppler characteristics?
- What specific aspects of the scanning technique will you focus on to ensure accurate identification of these vessels?
In action
- Are you ensuring you follow all of the steps in the set protocol?
- How confident do you feellocating and identifying the extracranial carotid (CCA, ICA and ECA), vertebral, and subclavian arteries based on anatomical landmarks and ultrasound appearance as you scan? What are the different ultrasound appearances?
- Are there any deviations from the expected anatomical position or course of the vessels that you are noticing?
- What adjustments to transducer position, angle, machine settings and pressure are you making to visualise the anatomy clearly?
- Are you ensuring all images and measurements are obtained as per the protocol?
On action
- Describe the process you followed to performa scan of the carotid, vertebral and subclavian arteries in line with the set protocol.
- What anatomical structures were you able to clearly identify?
- Were there any variations in anatomy observed between different patients?
- Did you encounter any difficulties in adhering to the protocol or visualising specific vessels?
- What did you do to try and overcome this?
- How well were you able to follow the set protocol?
- How confident were you in identifying the normal anatomy of the extracranial carotid, vertebral, and subclavian arteries using ultrasound?
- Did you find any aspects of the scanning technique to be more natural or challenging?
- Are there any specific steps in the protocol that you need to practice?
- What techniques for visualising these specific arteries will you focus on in future practice?
- Do you need to revise any aspects of the normal anatomy to help your scanning ability?
Beyond action
- Reflecting on your initial experiences of performing these scans to identify normal anatomy, how confident are you now in your ability to recognise anatomical variations or subtle abnormalities?
- How have subsequent experiences with patients presenting with pathology in these vessels informed your understanding of normal anatomy and the importance of protocol adherence?
- Have you revisited your initial reflections on this DTA, has you knowledge of normal carotid, vertebral and subclavian anatomy and scans changed?
- In what ways has the competence you developed in performing these basic scans served as a foundation for more complex vascular assessments e.g. probe manipulation and machine settings optimisation?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Communicate effectively with a range of patients and other professionals. |
| # 2 |
Outcome
Assess vascular anatomy using ultrasound. |
| # 3 |
Outcome
Apply the principles of ultrasound safety and ergonomics whilst performing a scan. |
| # 5 |
Outcome
Apply the principles of ultrasound physics to adjust and optimise an ultrasound machine to obtain quality images. |
| # 10 |
Outcome
Evaluate protocols and national guidelines and their impact of vascular science practice. |