New Ultrasound Technology Is a Useful Training Adjunct for Invasive Procedures

The use of ultrasound for procedural guidance is an essential skill in emergency medicine (EM) and a required Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) competency for residents. Resident learners develop their skill set through hands-on training and may benefit from an intervention that encourages proper technique, bolsters confidence, and improves procedural success. Clear Guide ONE, a Food and Drug Administration-approved technology, overlays real-time virtual instrument navigation onto ultrasound displays to allow visualization of expected instrument trajectory prior to needle puncture, ensuring alignment with the target.

This study investigated computer-assisted instrument guidance as an educational tool for residents in a simulation environment. Primarily, the study evaluated residents' procedural speed and accuracy using ultrasound with and without the guidance device.

A total of 34 residents were observed performing ultrasound-guided needle placement in ballistic gel models with and without computer assistance in a simulation-based observational crossover study. Scan time before needle insertion, time to target, total procedure time, number of needle redirections, and procedural accuracy were measured. A total of 104 observations were recorded with 52 in each group. Paired-sample t-test analysis was used to compare group performance. Secondary outcomes were derived from survey data assessing resident opinions about the device.

The computer-guidance group significantly outperformed the ultrasound-alone group in mean time to target, number of needle redirections, and procedural accuracy. There was no significant difference in mean scan time before needle insertion or total procedure time. Fifty percent of residents preferred the guidance system. Most residents (67%, n = 23) reported that the device increased confidence and the majority (94%, n = 32) reported perceived improvement in speed, accuracy, or both.

Use of computer assistance technology for sonographic instrument guidance was successful in improving procedural accuracy, number of needle redirections, and time to target performance metrics and was well received by residents. This educational study suggests that this technology may emerge as a valuable tool in training EM residents to utilize ultrasound for procedures.