CSN021 Cardiac Ultrasound 1
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CSN021 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | CSN025. CSN025 can be studied in the same teaching period as CSN021 |
| Equivalent(s): | PCN155 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,468 |
| International unit fee | $4,584 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Online
| Unit code: | CSN021 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | CSN025. CSN025 can be studied in the same teaching period as CSN021 |
| Coordinator: | Danielle Ryan | d34.ryan@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography) is a highly specialised technique for the assessment of the human heart. This unit of the course provides a detailed understanding of the two-dimensional, M-mode, spectral and colour Doppler components of the adult examination. It also provides detailed knowledge of cardiac anatomy and physiology and electrocardiographic (ECG) interpretation.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe and demonstrate detailed and specialised knowledge of cardiac anatomy and cardiac physiology.
- Outline the two-dimensional, M-mode, spectral and colour Doppler optimisation, imaging and measurement techniques required during a standard examination of the heart.
- Apply advanced knowledge of statistical concepts to interpret and critically evaluate the research literature.
- Apply professional writing and communication skills to convey the results of a normal echocardiographic examination.
- Perform, critically analyse and interpret basic images and measurements performed during echocardiographic examinations.
Content
The unit covers the following topic areas:
- Statistical concepts to interpret and critically evaluate the research literature
- Detailed anatomy of the adult human heart
- Physiology of the adult human heart
- The ECG: principles and rhythm interpretation
- Acoustic windows and standard imaging planes used in the cardiac ultrasound examination
- Standard two-dimensional views obtained at the parasternal, subcostal, apical and suprasternal positions, including the 2D image optimisation, standard measurements and calculations performed in the adult patient as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this modality
- The role and applications of M-mode ultrasound, including the M-mode optimisation, standard measurements and calculations performed in the adult patient as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this modality
- Principles of spectral and colour Doppler physics and instrumentation
- Standard spectral and colour flow Doppler examination, including optimisation
- Standard spectral Doppler measurements
- Awareness of Occupational Health and Safety practices
Learning Approaches
The unit delivery is primarily in the form of online lectures which are all available from the start of semester allowing some flexibility in your approach to the content. This is supported by an intensive block during O Week (approximately 2 days) which combines didactic lectures, tutorials, demonstrations and interactive scanning sessions at Gardens Point campus. Computer-based materials are available for self-paced review and further studies. You will also engage throughout the semester with online-tutorial quizzes which provide instant feedback on your understanding of the content material. There is also an online measurements tutorial website which allows you to practice your measurement techniques on real-life images in a simulated environment and receive instant feedback by viewing the expert-level measurement for that image. In addition, clinical experience in the workplace with the support of your clinical supervisor forms an important part of the learning process. Students are required to complete a minimum of 3 days per week, supervised ultrasound imaging within the workplace for the duration of the unit.
Clinical supervisors are Accredited Cardiac Sonographers or Echocardiologists as approved by QUT. Clinical supervisors are responsible, in consultation with the student, for ensuring an adequate range and volume of clinical experience is obtained. Supervisors, in consultation with QUT academic staff and the student, are required to monitor and evaluate your clinical progress.
You will also be required to record evidence of your clinical experience in a Clinical Portfolio. This will act as an electronic record of your clinical experience throughout the course.
You will engage with the teaching team and other students through the use of the online discussion forum for this unit.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
During the on-campus imaging workshops, you will participate in live-scanning sessions on volunteer patients. During these sessions, you will have the opportunity to receive feedback on your imaging and measurement technique from both peers and expert sonographers.
Throughout semester, you will have the opportunity to participate in online discussion board forums and online interactive sessions with course staff and peers. You will also engage in weekly, online quizzes which provide instant feedback on your learning.
A course-specific, measurements tutorial website allows you to practice measurement technique on real-life images in a simulated environment and receive instant feedback by viewing the expert-level measurement for that image.
Individual formative feedback relating to the case study submissions will be provided via the Canvas site for this unit. Feedback for the case studies are provided as video screencasts which allows you to see how measurements would be performed correctly, how the image control settings are manipulated and also hear the commentary from the assessors on how to improve the examination. This aims to reflect real-world practice. Group feedback related to the problem solving exercise will be provided on Canvas. Industry feedback is provided by clinical supervisors within the workplace. Results for all assessments will be displayed under My Grades on the Canvas site for this unit.
Assessment
Overview
You will undertake both written and clinical assessments related to the learning outcomes of this unit. This includes a problem solving task designed to familiarise you with the ultrasound machine settings and image optimisation, submission of clinical case studies, and a theory exam.
A previous theory exam paper is available on the Canvas site for this unit with an answer outline provided.
All assessment contributes to your grade.
Threshold assessment conditions apply in this unit for you to be eligible to receive a passing grade. You must achieve a satisfactory result (50% or above) for assessment items 2 (Case study and report) and 3 (Theory examination) in order to be awarded a grade of 4, or better, for this unit. If you do not achieve the pass level for these assessment tasks, you are able to make one resubmission of this work for the minimum pass level, only when the achieved mark/grade is within 10% (or 1 grade) of the pass level for the assessment item. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.
For the purposes of professional accreditation and demonstration of capabilities/competencies, students must achieve a satisfactory level of performance in both the theoretical and practical elements of the unit to achieve a passing grade.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Problem Solving Task
(Formative and Summative) -This problem-solving exercise is an ultrasound machine oriented exercise that encourages the development of advanced equipment knowledge, understanding and critical thinking.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Case study and report
(Formative and Summative) - You will be required to perform two ultrasound examinations on medically referred patients in your clinical practice and submit the ultrasound images from these studies. You are also required to critically review all images and measurements performed in order to produce a professional echocardiographic report. You will be assessed on both the ultrasound images submitted and the critical analysis of the studies. Specific requirements for these case studies will be outlined on the Canvas site for this unit.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Threshold Assessment:
Threshold conditions apply. If you do not achieve the pass level for this assessment task you are able to make one resubmission of this work for the minimum pass level, only when the achieved mark/grade is within 10% (or 1 grade) of the pass level for the assessment item. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.
Assessment: Examination
An invigilated theory examination will occur during the central examination block. The examination will include a combination of multiple choice, short answer and calculations-based questions.
Threshold Assessment:
Threshold conditions apply. If you do not achieve the pass level for this assessment task you are able to make one resubmission of this work for the minimum pass level, only when the achieved mark/grade is within 10% (or 1 grade) of the pass level for the assessment item. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Costs
Student registration with Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR): $110.00.
Travel costs associated with the on-campus, intensive block.
Resources
Recommended Text:
Anderson, B (2017). Echocardiography: The Normal Examination and Echocardiographic Measurements (3rd ed.). Echotext Pty Ltd . (This text is strongly recommended for all students)
Anderson, B (2014). A Sonographer's Guide to the Assessment of Heart Disease. Echotext Pty Ltd (This text is strongly recommended for all students)
Other References and Recommended Reading:
Any detailed cardiac anatomy and physiology text, e.g.
Otto, C.M. (2018). Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography (6th ed.). Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
Anderson, B, Park M (2020). Basic to Advanced Clinical Echocardiography: A Self Assessment Tool for the Cardiac Sonographer. Wolters Kluwer.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.