Pericardiocentesis Course

The pericardiocentesis course uses an advanced simulator to teach students the proper technique for an ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis.  Students will perform a scanning ultrasound to determine the optimal insertion site and then perform the entire ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis using real-time ultrasound guidance. Students also learn the hematologic parameters when pericardiocentesis can be safely performed and when the procedure can be performed if the patient is taking antiplatelets, antithrombotics, or anticoagulant medications.  Finally, the course covers how to manage pericardiocentesis complications should they occur.

The HPC Hospitalist and Emergency Procedures course will teach you how to perform pericardiocentesis in addition to central line placement, endotracheal intubation, stylet-guided intubations, laryngeal mask airway (LMA) placement, King tube placement, or fiberoptic intubations. ultrasound-guided peripheral IV access, arterial lines, POCUS exams (RUSH exams and E-FAST exams), thoracentesis, paracentesis, lumbar punctures, chest tube placement, pigtail catheter placement, needle thoracostomy, procedural sedation, and ventilator management.