Objectives: To determine the ultrasound guidance for central venous catheter (USG-CVC) placement rate of emergency physicians (EPs) in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey study regarding the respondents’ demographic profiles, formal and informal training in USG-CVC placement, experiences, and attitudes towards the procedure was emailed to all EPs registered with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) between October and December 2018.
Results: In total, 234/350 SCFHS-registered EPs completed the survey; the response rate was 66.9%. Most respondents (70.5%) were board-certified in emergency medicine (EM). Ninety percent indicated that US device for CVC placement assistance was available. Most EPs (78.2%) had performed USG-CVC placement; the US usage rate correlated significantly with recent graduation from residency (p=0.048). In total, 83.3% received formal training during residency. Of the 234 respondents, 53.8% felt extremely comfortable with CVC placement with USG and 19.7% without USG (p less than 0.01). Nevertheless, most respondents desired further USG-CVC training.
Conclusion: Despite existing evidence and a consensus on its superiority over the landmark technique, USG-CVC placement has not been adopted by a small proportion of EPs into clinical practice. Formal training, education, and institutional provision of permanent onsite US machines may address any barriers.
Reference:Al Aseri, Z. A., Al Hussein, R. M., Malabarey, M. A., AlYahya, B. A., Al Moaiqel, F. A., Al Ansari, M. A. and Alrajhi, K. N. (2020) Use of ultrasound guidance in central venous catheter placement by emergency physicians in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Medical Journal. 41(7), p.698–702. https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2020.7.25162