Paracentesis Course

Paracentesis is a procedure to aspirate ascitic fluid from the peritoneal cavity. A diagnostic paracentesis can be performed for to determine the etiology of ascites or a therapeutic paracentesis can be performed for symptomatic ascites.  The paracentesis course uses advanced ultrasound-compatible simulators and Caldwell needles to train clinicians how to perform an ultrasound-guided paracentesis.  This course also covers ascitic fluid analysis, the management of refractory ascites, diuretic-resistant ascites, and how to manage paracentesis complications.

Our paracentesis training is a component of our live Hospitalist and Emergency Procedures CME course which teaches clinicians how to perform the 20 most essential procedures needed to work in the ER, ICU, and hospital wards.

CLICK HERE to find out more about our premier live Hospitalist and Emergency Procedures CME course

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Paracentesis Lab Photos

Paracentesis Simulator

Paracentesis Video

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Paracentesis Course trains students in:

  • Indications for a paracentesis
  • Contraindications for a paracentesis
  • Complications of a paracentesis
  • Equipment for a paracentesis
  • Proper positioning and technique for a paracentesis
  • Ultrasound-guided paracentesis
  • Paracentesis troubleshooting
  • Ascitic fluid analysis
  • Coding for a paracentesis

Paracentesis Photos

Paracentesis Reference Card

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Paracentesis Blogs

Management of Pleural Infections

Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
Chest tube, chest tube placement, chest tube size, chest tubes, empyema, Featured, parapneumonic effusion, pleural effusions, pleural fluid analysis, Pleural space, pneumonia, Thoracentesis, Tube Thoracostomy
Complicated parapneumonic effusions frequently represent pleural space infections. Approximately 1 in 7 cases of pneumonia have an associated parapneumonic effusion (PPE) on chest x-ray. Most of these effusions are small and usually resolve spontaneously with prompt antibiotic administration. However, moderate-to-large…
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Summary of Difficult Airway Management in COVID-19 Patients

Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
Airway management, COVID, difficult airway, difficult airway management, Difficult Intubation, Difficult LMA, direct laryngoscopy, emergent intubation, Endotracheal Intubation, Featured, Intubation, noninvasive ventilation, NPPV, supraglottic airway, supraglottic airways, video laryngoscopy, Videolaryngoscopy
The Society of Airway Management recently issued guidelines for Difficult Airway Management in COVID-19 patients.  The SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus is extremely contagious via respiratory droplets and therefore extra precautions are needed for airway management in severe COVID-19 infection.  Airway…
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Video laryngoscopy has a superior first pass success rate compared with direct laryngoscopy in the ICU

Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
Airway management, direct laryngoscopy, emergency procedures, Endotracheal Intubation, Featured Procedure, Glidescope Intubation, HPC Updates, Intubation, Procedure Blog of the Week, video laryngoscopy
Video laryngoscopy is superior to direct laryngoscopy for emergency intubations in the ICU. A recent meta-analysis based on nine trials evaluated 2,133 ICU patients and concluded that video laryngoscopy (VL) has a higher first pass success rate compared to direct…
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Lumbar Puncture CME

Incidence of Spinal Hematoma from Lumbar Punctures in Patients with a Coagulopathy or Thrombocytopenia

Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
ACLS, coagulopathy, epidural hematoma, Featured, Lumbar Puncture, thrombocytopenia
A recent cohort study using the Danish nationwide medical registry demonstrates that the incidence of a spinal or epidural hematoma from lumbar punctures in patients with pre-existing thrombocytopenia (Platelets<150 K) or coagulopathy (INR>1.4 or aPTT>39 seconds) is not significantly higher…
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Hospitalist and Emergency Procedures CME Courses Available

Register HERE 21 days before the course to SAVE $50-150 and get the following:

  1. 12 month online access to Online CME course, procedure video bundle, instructional posters
  2. Indefinite online access to PDFs of all course lectures, course handouts, and HPC Adult Critical Care and Emergency Drug Reference Drug
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