Global FAST® Point-of-care Ultrasound "Short" Course

 The course consists of a pre-Scanning Workshop series of presentations that cover introductory material regarding the clinical applications of AFAST® (abdomen), TFAST® (thorax excluding lung), and Vet BLUE® (lung). When these 3 formats are combined, they single ultrasound examination is called Global FAST®, used and extension of the physical exam and as your first line imaging test for the vast majority of your patients. 

By "seeing" your problem list you can better streamline diagnostics including additional imaging, make decisions regarding medical and surgical management, and track patients over time by entering your findings on goal-directed templates in your medical records. Global FAST® is low impact, requiring no shaving, and minimal restraint in right lateral recumbency and then standing or the entire exam with the patient in standing. The blending of the Global FAST® views makes this very time efficient, for intermediate level sonographers, easily taking less than 8 minutes.

Pre-Scanning Workshop Presentations | Friday, Nov 6

These sessions are free and open to all; however, 4 hours of pre-scanning ultrasound lectures on Friday are required before attending Saturday’s wet lab.

• Hour 1:  "AFAST® - Introduction to Point-of-Care Ultrasound & AFAST® Image Acquisition and its Target-Organ Approach"

This presentation will cover AFAST®, a 3-minute imaging scan, and its views, its target-organ approach for many soft tissue conditions that would be suspected or completely missed on plain radiography, and an introduction to its fluid scoring system with everyday applications.

• Hour 2: "AFAST® - Abdominal Fluid Scoring System"

This presentation will cover AFAST®, a 3-minute imaging scan, and more in-depth case-based uses of its fluid scoring system with everyday applications. The characterization of the caudal vena cava and its associated hepatic veins for volume status will also be covered.

• Hour 3: "TFAST® - Tenets for the Accurate Detection of Pericardial and Pleural Effusion"

This presentation will cover TFAST®, a 3-minute imaging scan, and its rules to follow for the accurate detection of pericardial and pleural effusion and important pitfalls to be aware so that heart chambers are not mistaken for either. This will lead into TFAST® fundamental echocardiography for short and long axis views of the heart, and the manner in to assess problems with volume and contractility, left- and right-sided heart problems.

• Hour 4: "TFAST® - Fundamental Echocardiography & EPIC Guidelines" and "Vet BLUE® - Introduction to Lung Ultrasound and Its Regional, Pattern-Based Approach"

This presentation will cover TFAST® and the EPIC Guideline measurements that will be taught in the Scanning Session and then move onto Vet BLUE and its systematic approach to developing a respiratory working diagnosis in your patient in 2-minutes or less using its "wet versus dry lung" novel, regional, pattern-based approach that can be recorded and followed. As time allows, its signs of consolidation will also be covered, the Shred Sign, Tissue Sign, Nodule Sign and Wedge Sign.

Global FAST® Scanning Wet Lab | Saturday, Nov 7

SEPARATE REGISTRATION REQUIRED

The three-hour Scanning Workshop will cover the AFAST® image acquisition that will also include use of calipers, and color flow Doppler; TFAST® image acquisition and the EPIC Guideline Measurements, and Vet BLUE® and its image acquisition. The blending of the left and right Global FAST® views will be taught so that attendees perform the examination efficiently when leaving the course.

The lab is now FULL! To be added to the waitlist, email khochstetler@cvm.org.

To register for the wet lab, select it as an add-on item during registration.

If you've already registered for the conference, click the button above for instructions on how to modify your registration and add the wet lab!

Questions? Contact Katy at khochstetler@cvm.org