Implementation of point of care ultrasound to assess umbilical venous catheter position in the neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is an emerging method for assessing umbilical venous catheter (UVC) position. We implemented a training module for neonatal providers geared toward POCUS proficiency in assessing UVC position in our neonatal intensive care unit. Over 14 months, the percentage of providers qualified to use POCUS for UVC placement increased from 0 to 33%. The median time to achieve proficiency was 5 months (interquartile range: 3–14 months). Additionally, we discovered that a minimum of two views were required to correctly assess catheter tip location. The two views in which it was easiest to correctly identify the catheter tip were the subcostal and parasternal short view using the cardiac ultrasound windows, and the phased array ultrasound probe.

Keywords:

• Intensive care
• neonatology
• point-of-care ultrasound
• umbilical venous catheter

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Vidant Health Foundation for providing the funding of this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Vidant Health Foundation under Grant Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals campaign funds.