ICU physicians frequently need an immediate echocardiogram to rule out major pathology. Discussions about a formal certification process in Europe are in progress and remain largely theoretical. To aid these discussions we describe our practical experience of an internal certification programme that could serve as one possible template.
JensenMBSlothE. Transthoracic echocardiography for cardiopulmonary monitoring in intensive care. Eur J Anaesthesiol2004;21: 700–07.
2.
BreitkreutzRWalcherFSeegerFH. Focused echocardiographic evaluation in resuscitation management: concept of an advanced life support-conformed algorithm. Crit Care Med2007;35(5 Suppl):S150–61.
3.
McLeanAYastrebovK. Echocardiography training for the intensivist. Crit Care Resusc2007;9: 320–22.
4.
VignonPMuckeFBellecF. Basic critical care echocardiography: validation of a curriculum dedicated to noncardiologist residents. Crit Care Med2011;39: 636–42.
5.
MayoPHBeaulieuYDoelkenP. American College of Chest Physicians/La Societe de Reanimation de Langue Francaise statement on competence in critical care ultrasonography. Chest2009;135: 1050–60.
6.
ApplebyDBilottaFBreitkreutzRJ. A position statement: echocardiography in the critically ill. J Intensive Care Soc2008;9: 197–98.
7.
FedsonSNeithardtGThomasP. Unsuspected clinically important findings detected with a small portable ultrasound device in patients admitted to a general medicine service. J Am Soc Echo2003;16: 901–15.
8.
HuangSJMcLeanAS. Do we need a critical care ultrasound certification program? Implications from an Australian medical-legal perspective. Crit Care2010;14: 3138.
9.
NihoyannopoulosPFoxKFraserAPintoF. EAE laboratory standards and accreditation. Europ J Echo2007;8: 80–87.
10.
StewartWJDouglasPSSagarK. Echocardiography in Emergency Medicine: a policy statement by the American Society of Echocardiography and the American College of Cardiology. J Am Coll Cardiol1999;33: 586–88.
