The messages that passed through yesterday re ultrasound certification got
me to thinking........
I am crippling through the process of mastering PICC placement using
ultrasound. My training has consisted of having Boston Scientific send down
a couple of Ultrasound trained nurses who accompanied me for one day.
Neither were licensed in our state so couldn't touch anyone and just coached
at the bedside. They watched me during one insertion and a couple of our
other staff during one insertion as well. I had never seen a line placed
using ultrasound until the day I did it with them (and it wasn't
easy.........).
Since that day I have been out there struggling to get through the learning
curve on my own. I've read P/P for line insertion using ultrasound ad
nauseum. Beyond that I've had no other training.
How well protected am I in case of a lawsuit? I'm starting to get a little
nervous. I could hardly expect the staff who watched me though that one
first insertion to sign me off as competent......they would be crazy to do
that since I clearly was not competent. I have another trainer coming next
week. Is it possible that this amount of training would cover me if I have
a bad outcome? I don't know if there's anyone in our area (South Dakota,
Northwest IA) placing lines at the bedside using ultrasound so it's not easy
for me to get training. My managed chuckled when I asked about getting $$$
to go somewhere for training.
Alma Kooistra RN, CRNI
- Ultrasound certification revisited Alma Kooistra
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