Em. Med. Annual Report 2011 - Hennepin County Medical Center

Emergency Ultrasound
Our department has been a leader in the field of
emergency ultrasound. We use emergency US on a daily
basis in both clinical practice and research. Residents
learn US with hands-on formal teaching, US workshops
and under direct mentorship while working in the ED.
We currently have twelve ultrasound machines with full
wireless conductivity. Two are permanently mounted in the
Stabilization Room and two are mounted in our pelvic
examination rooms.
We perform a variety of bedside ultrasound exams including procedures, gallbladder, renal, OB-GYN,
FAST, thoracic cardiac/echo, aorta, fluid status/IVC, DVT, ocular, musculoskeletal and fracture reductions.
In 2009, we performed and recorded 9,488 exams of all types. In 2010, a total of 10,909 exams were
performed. Most exams were FAST, Cardiac and OB-GYN ultrasonographic studies.
Our department employs a full time dedicated sonographer who oversees the ultrasound education and
explores opportunities for growth within our residency program. We use the OsiriX system, which is a
DICOM PACS workstation for imaging. This allows us to monitor ultrasound exams in real time. It also
allows us to have an extensive digital library of ED ultrasound images for educational purposes.
Rob Reardon, MD
Director, Emergency Medicine Ultrasound
The
Hyperbaric
Chamber
Liberty Caroon, an ED Sonographer, assists with an
emergency ultrasound
Department of Emergency Medicine Activities Report | 2009-2010 | 21