The role of tele-ultrasound for real-time remote guidance for femoral nerve blocks in the emergency department

Abstract

The use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is integral to the practice of emergency medicine, particularly for procedural guidance. While simulated repetitions can aid in educating physicians in rare or difficult procedures, they cannot replace the need for real-time supervision and guidance especially when a learner is performing a procedure on a patient for the first time. However, procedural experts may not be immediately available in many clinical environments. We present a framework for a tele-ultrasound protocol for use with femoral nerve blocks in which expert proceduralists can be readily available to assist with ultrasound-guided procedures with ease and accessibility.