The Society strongly supports the development of ultrasound competencies for Acute
Medicine clinicians, both those in training and those otherwise working on the Acute Medical
Unit (AMU). This has been brought into focus by the welcome addition of mandatory
ultrasound competencies to the AIM higher specialist training curriculum.
In order to support this, there will need to be investment in both time and equipment to
provide the training environment required and the facilities to embed these skills in the
routine work of the Acute Medical team.
The Society therefore makes the following recommendations relevant to all AMUs across the
United Kingdom:
- A senior clinician should be appointed point of care ultrasound lead, with the remit of
overseeing training, governance and integration with local radiology services - The above role should attract an indicative 1 PA of job planned time (dependent on
unit size and anticipated training commitments) - Each unit should always have a dedicated ultrasound machine available. This should
be linked to the hospital PACS system with the ability to generate contemporaneous
reports linked to images - AMUs should look to develop training pathways with dedicated time for training for
interested trainees and clinicians, including linking with local radiology departments
to facilitate a two-way transfer of knowledge
For more information on Focused Acute Medicine Ultrasound (FAMUS) – the ultrasound
competency endorsed by the Society, please visit www.acutemedicine.org.uk/FAMUS
A joint statement between the Royal College of Radiologists, British Medical Ultrasound
Society and Society for Acute Medicine regarding the importance of point of care ultrasound
is available to read here.
