title: Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Blocks in Emergency Medicine Practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the current practice of ultrasound (US)-guided regional anesthesia at academic emergency departments, including education, protocols, policies, and quality assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire on US-guided nerve blocks was electronically sent to all emergency US directors and emergency US fellowship directors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 121 of 171 academic institutions with an emergency medicine residency program participated in this study, representing a 71% response rate. Eighty-four percent (95% confidence interval [CI], 77%-91%) of programs perform US-guided nerve blocks at their institutions. The most common type of nerve block performed is a forearm nerve block (ulnar, median, or radial). The most common indication for US-guided nerve blocks is fracture pain management. Only 7% (95% CI, 2%-12%) of programs have a separate credentialing pathway for US-guided nerve blocks. Regarding quality assessment review of US-guided nerve blocks, none of the programs have a separate program in place. In 57% (95% CI, 48%-66%) of programs, it is a component of the emergency US quality assessment program. Eighty-four percent (95% CI, 77%-90%) of programs do not have specific agreements with other specialty services with regard to performing US-guided nerve blocks in the emergency department. The most common educational methods used to teach US-guided nerve blocks are didactic sessions, at 67% (95% CI, 59%-75%); online resources, at 54% (95% CI, 45%-63%); and supervised training with real patients, at 48% (95% CI, 39%-57%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks are performed at most academic emergency departments. However, there is a substantial variation in the practices and policies within these institutions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona USA ramini@aemrc.arizona.edu.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Amini
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey Z
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Kartchner
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Highland Hospital-Alameda Health System, Oakland, California USA.
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nagdev
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona USA.
authors.forename: Srikar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adhikari
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006306:Health Surveys; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014600:Utilization Review
keywords: emergency medicine; emergency ultrasound; nerve blocks; residents; ultrasound