Emergency Medicine Ultrasonography Subinternship

Overview

Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Department of Emergency Medicine boasts a robust ultrasound program. We have been the home of a competitive ultrasound fellowship since 2002. Our residents are well trained in ultrasound, completing a required elective as interns and utilizing point of care examinations each shift. Our department has several state-of-the-art Sonosite ultrasound machines including one in each trauma bay!

Clerkship Overview

This elective in emergency ultrasound is designed to familiarize the 4th year medical student with point of care ultrasound (POCUS) examinations frequently utilized by emergency clinicians. Students will develop cognitive and manual skills necessary to incorporate bedside ultrasound into their practice. They will be required to complete a minimum of 25 ultrasounds. Students will attend formal lectures on ultrasound (theory, image acquisition, and interpretation). In addition, students will receive real time bedside ultrasound teaching. Exams will be required in the following areas: cardiac, gallbladder, trauma/FAST, aorta, and transabdominal/endovaginal. Student will be required to keep an ongoing log of their exams. These will be reviewed by the course chair. Lastly, students will be required to write on a topic in emergency ultrasound by the end of the rotation, which will be considered for web publication on emDOCs.net.

Course Objectives

1. The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of ultrasound
   physics, technology, and knobology.
2. The student will be able to outline a strategy for evaluation of
   patients with the common indications for ultrasound imaging.
3. The student will be able to identify specific anatomic landmarks
   pertaining to emergent bedside ultrasound.
4. The student will be able to obtain and interpret ultrasound images
   for the following exams: right upper quadrant, FAS (trauma),
   obstetric, pericardial fluid, and abdominal aorta.
5. The student will be able to apply bedside ultrasound to make
   diagnosis and will be able to recommend an appropriate definitive
   study for inconclusive ultrasound exams.
6. The student will be able to use bedside ultrasound for therapeutic
   procedures, including paracentesis and central line placement,
   according to standard emergency medicine practice.

Common Diseases/Problems Encountered

1. Undifferentiated abdominal pain
2. Biliary Colic
3. Multiple traumas
4. Vaginal bleeding in the pregnant patient
5. Pericardial effusion
6. Central and peripheral venous cannulation/access
7. Paracentesis
8. Undifferentiated Hypotension
9. Undifferentiated Dyspnea

Preparing for your clerkship

We are excited to work with you on your upcoming rotation! Please review the following items prior to your first day, to ensure you get the most out of your rotation.

Using the Electronic Medical Record System ORCHID (Cerner)

We have made some videos to help you understand how to better navigate the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) that we use. We will also be training you in-person on your orientation day, but review the information included beforehand to make your training more useful. Please open the YouTube training video link here and have a basic understanding of ORCHID prior to attending orientation.

Parking

Parking may be limited during your rotation. You may park in any unmarked spot, but please ensure you read all signs. The three-story parking garage (Lot D) only allows visitors to park on the top floor during most hours. You can check in for orientation in the N-14 building on the map below and ask for Chanel Carter or Lorie Fager.

Apply

Rotation Dates

2024-2025 Academic Year Rotation Dates: 6/17, 7/1, 7/15, 7/29, 8/12, 8/26, 9/9, 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2, 1/6, 1/20

Rotations will start on the dates listed. The rotation is typically 2 weeks in duration. Special accommodations can be made on a case-to-case basis for special circumstances (ie 3-4 week rotations).

Applications

Applications can be accessed online via VSLO. Please e-mail Chanel Carter and Lorie Frager, the medical student coordinators, with any specific application questions.

Once you have been accepted for a rotation with us, you will also be required to meet all the requirements of the Department of Health Services at Los Angeles County for a rotation, which include:

• Health Clearance Packet (E2 Form)
• Background Investigation
• Respiratory Fit Test
• Online application

You must also complete a Workforce Member form at http://dhs.lacounty.gov/cef — when completing the form:

• Select “New Assignment”
• The Sponsor Facility is Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
• The Sponsor Division is Emergency Medicine
• The Sponsor Name is Manpreet Singh

All required forms including Live Scan fingerprinting can be found on the VSLO website or will be emailed to you upon rotation approval by program coordinators, Chanel Carter or Lorie Fager. Please e-mail the coordinators with any questions about this process.

Contact information

Chanel Carter
Medical Student Coordinator
ccarter-johnson@dhs.lacounty.gov

Lorie Fager
Medical Student Coordinator
lfager@dhs.lacounty.gov

Manpreet Singh, MD, MBE, FACEP
Medical Student Clerkship Director
MASingh@dhs.lacounty.gov