6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Postgraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational Unit
Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Synopsis
Sonographic scanning methods, techniques and protocols related to selected examinations of the cardiovascular system. Gross anatomical structure and function and relevant pathophysiological disorders associated with the cardiovascular and immune systems. Interpretational skills in respect to artefacts and the sonographic appearances of the examinations addressed will be gained. The process of organ rejection and the role of ultrasound in the postoperative evaluation of liver and renal transplants. Quality assurance, sonographic measurement techniques, the utilisation of specific duplex modalities and the use of stents and grafts in vascular surgery.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- identify, describe and justify the selection of imaging parameters, and equipment, as well as patient care and quality assurance principles for vascular, transplant and postoperative ultrasound examinations;
- perform routine vascular ultrasound examinations, including functional measurements of selected vessels of the cardiovascular system to a standard and ethical conduct expected of a competent sonographer;
- identify and describe the normal and abnormal sonographic appearances of the upper and lower limb venous and arterial systems and carotid and vertebral arteries on ultrasound images and related artefacts;
- recognise when modifications to routine scanning approaches are required and explain the limitations of ultrasound in regards to vascular and transplant imaging;
- Explain, justify and implement the use of Spectral, Colour and Power Doppler techniques in vascular imaging and the assessment of blood flow and organ perfusion;
- describe and explain the gross structure and pathophysiological processes including organ rejection associated with the cardiovascular and immune systems.
Fieldwork
Students must be actively engaged in supervised ultrasound clinical practice in the workplace for at least three days a week (or equivalent). It is the student's responsibility to secure a supervised ultrasound clinical placement in the workplace.
Assessment
- Compulsory attainment of the requisite number of ultrasound examinations (Hurdle)
- 2 x Assignments (1,500 words each) (30%)
- Written examination (2 hours) (40%)
- Image recognition examination (1 hour) (20%)
- Clinical skills assessment (10%)
Requirement to obtain a pass: Students must obtain at least 50% of available marks overall and at least 50% of available marks in each of the written examination, and image recognition examination and clinical skills assessment. Hurdle requirements must be met.