Abstract
Objectives Our objective was to determine whether predefined angles would improve performance time and accuracy of ultrasound-guided procedures by novice operators and whether a revised APPLES (approach, position, perpendicular, lift, entry, sweep) mnemonic was a helpful guide for performing the procedure. Methods Participants attempted to hit targets in-plane and out-of-plane at different depths with a needle under ultrasound guidance with and without predefined angles. Participants were then asked if they thought that the mnemonic would be helpful when learning both methods for ultrasound-guided procedures. Results There were 120 participants all of whom had performed fewer than six ultrasound guided procedures. Accuracy increased in all groups when angles were provided; however, only the 3-cm in-plane approach achieved statistical significance. Performance time also achieved statistical significance in two of the four groups. Ninety-five percent of participants thought that the revised APPLES mnemonic would be helpful for learning and performing ultrasound-guided procedures in the future. Conclusions Predefined angles seem to positively impact procedure time and accuracy for some target depths, and the APPLES mnemonic could be a helpful mental checklist for many novice operators. These may be useful tools to facilitate safe and efficient ultrasound-guided procedures in the clinical space.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 689-693 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
Volume | 100 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2021 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Angles
- Education
- Interventional Procedures
- Novice Operator
- Ultrasonography
- Ultrasound Guided
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
- Rehabilitation