PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Aseri, Zohair A. Al
AU  - Hussein, Reema M. Al
AU  - Malabarey, Mohammed A.
AU  - Yahya, Bader A. Al
AU  - Moaiqel, Faisal A. Al
AU  - Ansari, Mariam A. Al
AU  - Alrajhi, Khaled N.
TI  - Use of ultrasound guidance in central venous catheter placement by emergency physicians in Saudi Arabia
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2020.7.25162
DP  - 2020 Jul 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 698--702
VI  - 41
IP  - 7
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/41/7/698.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/41/7/698.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2020 Jul 01; 41
AB  - 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<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.