P2C073: Implementation and Evaluation of a Neonatal POCUS Workshop Utilizing Innovative Phantoms

Background: Despite documented advantages of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for neonates, significant barriers to education and implementation exist. In a local targeted needs assessment at our institution, primary barriers included lack of training, ultrasound knowledge, and division experience. Our team designed a hands-on neonatal-specific POCUS workshop with innovative ultrasound phantoms to address knowledge gaps and identified barriers.

Methods: Kern’s Six Steps of Curriculum Development was used as the framework for this educational intervention. The goal of the workshop was to offer neonatal providers basic POCUS education and hands-on practice with POCUS experts. After a June 2022 pilot workshop, two 3-hour workshops were conducted in August 2022. Didactic material was created using an iterative process with expert feedback to reach consensus regarding basic neonatal POCUS education, ultimately including topics such as Ultrasound Physics, Artifacts, Knobology/How to use our machine, “?PADGO” (question, probe, application, depth, gain, orientation), and Basic Neonatal Indications. Hands-on simulation sessions utilized ballistic gel phantoms for four basic indications: bladder visualization/suprapubic aspiration, lumbar puncture, peripheral vascular access, and UVC placement/confirmation. The study team developed the innovative ultrasound-compatible UVC phantom specifically for this workshop (Figure 1). Specific cognitive and attitudinal objectives, including confidence in ultrasound skills, were measured using pre and post-intervention questionnaires. Questionnaires were administered via REDCap, and all responses were paired and anonymous. Data analysis was performed using paired t-tests for continuous variables, McNemar’s test for paired nominal variables, and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests for paired Likert scale comparisons.

Results: Ten Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine (NPM) fellows participated in the Basics of Neonatal POCUS Workshop, and 10/10 (100%) completed both questionnaires. Of the participants, 9/10 (90%) planned to use POCUS more in their clinical practice after this intervention. Participants showed a significant improvement in ultrasound knowledge after the workshop, with 62% correct on the cognitive portion of the questionnaire pre-intervention, compared to 85% post-intervention (p=0.007). Participants reported a significant increase in confidence using ultrasound for all skills assessed (Figure 2). After the workshop, 9/10 (90%) reported interest in future workshops and continuing ultrasound education. Fellows identified the Knobology/How to Use Our Division’s Machine session as the most helpful didactic, and Suprapubic Aspiration as the most helpful simulation session.

Conclusion: An institution-specific workshop for neonatal POCUS is feasible, improves ultrasound knowledge and confidence, and is valued by participants. Our evaluation shows that learners appreciated training on their own institution’s equipment, and they identified the hands-on session for the basic indication of suprapubic aspiration as the most helpful, possibly due to their confidence in immediate bedside implementation. Thus, while large-scale external workshops are often attractive to learners, institution-specific workshops focusing on basic indications may be more appropriate for novice learners.