title: Dominant hand operating probe vs needle: a comparison study of ultrasound-guided needle placement in phantom models.
abstract: We conducted a replicated crossover design study to assess if using one's dominant hand for operating a probe vs directing a needle would affect the time taken, the number of needle passes and the accuracy of an ultrasound-guided procedure in phantom models. Twenty ultrasound-novice participants completed the task 10 times for each hand arrangement (alternating between attempts). The time taken and number of needle passes required for both dominant hand-probe and hand-needle decreased over time (p = 0.001). Dominant hand-needle had a lower mean time used (p = 0.001) and fewer needle passes (p = 0.02) compared with hand-probe. Sixty-five per cent of participants preferred using their dominant hand to direct the needle. When learning ultrasound-guided needle procedures on phantom models, use of the dominant hand to operate the needle is associated with a shorter procedure time and fewer needle passes.
authors.affiliation: London Health Sciences Center, University Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.affiliation: Ulster Hospital, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stafford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055815:Young Adult