CSN031 Cardiac Ultrasound Clinical Practice 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: | CSN031 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | CSN021 and CSN022. CSN022 can be studied in the same teaching period as CSN031 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,744 |
| International unit fee | $4,956 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Online
| Unit code: | CSN031 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | CSN021 and CSN022. CSN022 can be studied in the same teaching period as CSN031 |
| Coordinator: | Kate Marriott | kate.marriott@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit is the first of three clinical units in which you will progressively develop your clinical experience and skills. This unit builds on basic skills, knowledge and abilities gained in the units CSN021 Cardiac Ultrasound 1 and CSN025 Principles of Medical Ultrasound. In this unit, basic instrumentation skills and report writing skills are refined and expanded, and echocardiographic skills are developed through employment and training in a QUT approved clinical department. Clinical skills are evaluated by QUT academic staff and QUT approved clinical supervisors, in consultation with QUT academic staff.
This is a designated unit which is essential to your course progression. Designated units include professional experience units, units requiring the development of particular skills, and units requiring demonstration of certain personal qualities. If you fail to achieve a satisfactory level of performance in a designated unit, you may be excluded from enrolment or will be put on academic probation. If you fail a designated unit twice within your course, you may be excluded. Supplementary assessment is not available on designated units.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Perform a range of complete adult echocardiographic examinations at a standard expected by the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE).
- Produce high-quality imaging that reflect clinically sound application of the principles of ultrasound, adapting ultrasound instrumentation settings and techniques as required.
- Interpret ECG rhythms accurately; explore the effect of ECG arrhythmias on M-mode, 2D and spectral Doppler measurements and calculations.
- Critique the diagnostic accuracy of images produced and calculations completed during echocardiographic examinations.
- Employ a range of professional (code of conduct, communicate effectively, apply knowledge of sonographic practices, and protect patient safety) and interprofessional (collaborate with other health professionals) skills to provide high quality, patient-centred care during all echocardiographic examinations.
Content
The unit covers the following topic areas as applied in the clinical situation. This content is complementary to, and must be considered in the context of, learning in other units such as CSN021 Cardiac Ultrasound 1 and CSN025 Principles of Medical Ultrasound.
- Patient preparation and communication requirements
- Acoustic windows used in cardiac ultrasound
- Interpretation of ECG rhythm
- Standard imaging planes in the adult patient
- Standard 2D views obtained at the parasternal, apical, subcostal and suprasternal positions; including 2D measurements and calculations performed in the adult patient
- The applications of M-mode ultrasound, including the standard measurements and calculations performed in the adult patient
- Standard spectral Doppler examination, including standard measurements and calculations
- Standard colour Doppler examination
- Awareness of Occupational Health and Safety practices
- Oral, written and digital communication skills
- Professional conduct issues
Learning Approaches
This unit combines supervised clinical experience in a nominated QUT approved clinical department with a range of summative assessment items undertaken by the student during the period of clinical practice.
Practical: Supervised Clinical Experience. The range and volume of your clinical experience, under the supervision of QUT approved Accredited Cardiac Sonographers or Echocardiologists, should reflect key competency areas of cardiac sonographers when examining a range of cardiac pathologies. It is your responsibility to negotiate the breadth and depth of your clinical experience with your supervisor. Your progress will be monitored and evaluated by your clinical supervisors, in consultation with QUT academic staff. Your workplace experience, as part of a multi-disciplinary team in the clinical setting, is an important part of your learning journey. You will normally undertake supervised ultrasound training no less than 3 days per week (0.6FTE) whilst enrolled. Throughout the course, you are required to record evidence of your clinical experience and competency. Mandatory completion and submission of your Clinical Portfolio is required for satisfactory completion of the program.
Academic Consultation and Peer Collaboration: QUT academic staff are available to discuss issues relating to the clinical practice requirements on an individual basis, as necessary. You will also engage with the teaching team and your student peers via the unit's online discussion forum.
The online measurements tutorial website is available for 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.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Individual summative feedback relating to the case study submissions will be provided via the Canvas site for this unit. Feedback for the case studies is provided as video screencasts from experienced senior staff 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. This reflects real-world practice where a student would review a case with the clinical trainers.
Results for all assessments will be displayed under My Grades on the Canvas site for this unit.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment in this unit consists of a practical assessment of PEDOF skills (S/U) and two case study submissions (S/U).
You must receive a satisfactory result in each assessment item in order to be awarded a grade of satisfactory in this unit. Individual assessment items are graded as Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory.
In this unit, for you to be eligible to receive a passing grade, threshold assessment conditions apply to assessment items 1 and 2. If you do not achieve a satisfactory grade for an assessment item, you are able to make one resubmission of this work. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.
A marking criterion is used for the allocation of grades for each assessment item. A moderation process including cross-marking of submissions ensures individual markers apply standards consistently and fairly.
Unit Grading Scheme
S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory)
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Case Study Portfolio
You will be required to submit two case studies demonstrating the performance of comprehensive adult echocardiographic examinations. This includes 2D, spectral Doppler and colour Doppler components of the examination, and all appropriate measurements and calculations required to answer the clinical question.
Case study 1 -
- Patient requirements: This case study is to be performed on a real adult patient with essentially normal findings, or on patients without significant pathology.
- Simpson’s Biplane Ejection Fraction: attempted even if LV function is normal (select a study where image quality permits measurement of a Simpson’s BP EF).
- Non-imaging CW Doppler: you are required to at least show the aortic signal acquired from apex. If AR, MR and/or TR present then you should also attempt to document these signals.
Case study 2 -
- Patient requirements: This case study is to be performed on a real adult patient with echocardiographic evidence of ischaemic heart disease (e.g., regional wall motion abnormalities or evidence of the complications of myocardial infarction).
- Simpson’s Biplane Ejection Fraction: select a study where image quality permits measurements of a Simpson’s BP EF
- Non-imaging CW Doppler: you are required to at least show the aortic signal acquired from apex. THIS IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF THIS CASE STUDY. If AR, MR and/or TR present, you should also attempt to document these signals also.
Submissions are graded as satisfactory / unsatisfactory. A detailed marking criteria is used for the allocation of grades. A moderation process including cross-marking of submissions ensures individual markers apply standards consistently and fairly.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
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: Practical
You are required to submit continuous wave (CW) Doppler traces, demonstrating your proficiency in using both the guided continuous wave (CW) Doppler probe and the non-imaging continuous wave (CW) Doppler probe (also known as the PEDOF probe) during a standard transthoracic echo study. You are to submit traces from five (5) real patients demonstrating this advanced technique, measurement accuracy and optimisation skills.
The assessment is graded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory against a marking criterion. A moderation process including cross-marking of submissions ensures individual markers apply standards consistently and fairly.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
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
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
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.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
The QUT bookshop stocks the recommended text for this course. All ASE guidelines are free and available online.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Anderson, B (2017). Echocardiography: The Normal Examination and Echocardiographic Measurements (3rd ed.). Brisbane: MGA Graphics. (This text is strongly recommended for all students)
Anderson, B (2014). A Sonographer's Guide to the Assessment of Heart Disease. MGA Graphics (This text is strongly recommended for all students)
Reference book(s)
Otto, C.M. (2023). Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier.
Other
American Society of Echocardiography Guideline and Recommendations: www.asecho.org
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CS61 Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Ultrasound
- Critically analyse clinical information to accurately differentiate normal cardiac anatomy and complex cardiac pathologies.
Relates to: Case Study Portfolio - Perform independent, culturally safe and patient-centred cardiac ultrasound examinations to a high level of technical proficiency and diagnostic accuracy.
Relates to: Case Study Portfolio, Practical - Communicate effectively with peers and multidisciplinary health professionals to explore the diagnostic value and limitations of cardiac ultrasound imaging.
Relates to: Case Study Portfolio - Practice as a reflective, ethical and collaborative professional committed to the sustainability of quality assured cardiac sonography practice.
Relates to: Case Study Portfolio
Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 10A 2025, Online (Start Date: 14 Jul 2025)
| Unit code: | CSN031 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | CSN021 and CSN022. CSN022 can be studied in the same teaching period as CSN031 |
Overview
This unit is the first of three clinical units in which you will progressively develop your clinical experience and skills. This unit builds on basic skills, knowledge and abilities gained in the units CSN021 Cardiac Ultrasound 1 and CSN025 Principles of Medical Ultrasound. In this unit, basic instrumentation skills and report writing skills are refined and expanded, and echocardiographic skills are developed through employment and training in a QUT approved clinical department. Clinical skills are evaluated by QUT academic staff and QUT approved clinical supervisors, in consultation with QUT academic staff.
This is a designated unit which is essential to your course progression. Designated units include professional experience units, units requiring the development of particular skills, and units requiring demonstration of certain personal qualities. If you fail to achieve a satisfactory level of performance in a designated unit, you may be excluded from enrolment or will be put on academic probation. If you fail a designated unit twice within your course, you may be excluded. Supplementary assessment is not available on designated units.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Perform a range of complete adult echocardiographic examinations at a standard expected by the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE).
- Produce high-quality imaging that reflect clinically sound application of the principles of ultrasound, adapting ultrasound instrumentation settings and techniques as required.
- Interpret ECG rhythms accurately; explore the effect of ECG arrhythmias on M-mode, 2D and spectral Doppler measurements and calculations.
- Critique the diagnostic accuracy of images produced and calculations completed during echocardiographic examinations.
- Employ a range of professional (code of conduct, communicate effectively, apply knowledge of sonographic practices, and protect patient safety) and interprofessional (collaborate with other health professionals) skills to provide high quality, patient-centred care during all echocardiographic examinations.
Content
The unit covers the following topic areas as applied in the clinical situation. This content is complementary to, and must be considered in the context of, learning in other units such as CSN021 Cardiac Ultrasound 1 and CSN025 Principles of Medical Ultrasound.
- Patient preparation and communication requirements
- Acoustic windows used in cardiac ultrasound
- Interpretation of ECG rhythm
- Standard imaging planes in the adult patient
- Standard 2D views obtained at the parasternal, apical, subcostal and suprasternal positions; including 2D measurements and calculations performed in the adult patient
- The applications of M-mode ultrasound, including the standard measurements and calculations performed in the adult patient
- Standard spectral Doppler examination, including standard measurements and calculations
- Standard colour Doppler examination
- Awareness of Occupational Health and Safety practices
- Oral, written and digital communication skills
- Professional conduct issues
Learning Approaches
This unit combines supervised clinical experience in a nominated QUT approved clinical department with a range of summative assessment items undertaken by the student during the period of clinical practice.
Practical: Supervised Clinical Experience. The range and volume of your clinical experience, under the supervision of QUT approved Accredited Cardiac Sonographers or Echocardiologists, should reflect key competency areas of cardiac sonographers when examining a range of cardiac pathologies. It is your responsibility to negotiate the breadth and depth of your clinical experience with your supervisor. Your progress will be monitored and evaluated by your clinical supervisors, in consultation with QUT academic staff. Your workplace experience, as part of a multi-disciplinary team in the clinical setting, is an important part of your learning journey. You will normally undertake supervised ultrasound training no less than 3 days per week (0.6FTE) whilst enrolled. Throughout the course, you are required to record evidence of your clinical experience and competency. Mandatory completion and submission of your Clinical Portfolio is required for satisfactory completion of the program.
Academic Consultation and Peer Collaboration: QUT academic staff are available to discuss issues relating to the clinical practice requirements on an individual basis, as necessary. You will also engage with the teaching team and your student peers via the unit's online discussion forum.
The online measurements tutorial website is available for 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.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Individual summative feedback relating to the case study submissions will be provided via the Canvas site for this unit. Feedback for the case studies is provided as video screencasts from experienced senior staff 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. This reflects real-world practice where a student would review a case with the clinical trainers.
Results for all assessments will be displayed under My Grades on the Canvas site for this unit.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment in this unit consists of a practical assessment of PEDOF skills (S/U) and two case study submissions (S/U).
You must receive a satisfactory result in each assessment item in order to be awarded a grade of satisfactory in this unit. Individual assessment items are graded as Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory.
In this unit, for you to be eligible to receive a passing grade, threshold assessment conditions apply to assessment items 1 and 2. If you do not achieve a satisfactory grade for an assessment item, you are able to make one resubmission of this work. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.
A marking criterion is used for the allocation of grades for each assessment item. A moderation process including cross-marking of submissions ensures individual markers apply standards consistently and fairly.
Unit Grading Scheme
S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory)
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Case Study Portfolio
You will be required to submit two case studies demonstrating the performance of comprehensive adult echocardiographic examinations. This includes 2D, spectral Doppler and colour Doppler components of the examination, and all appropriate measurements and calculations required to answer the clinical question.
Case study 1 -
- Patient requirements: This case study is to be performed on a real adult patient with essentially normal findings, or on patients without significant pathology.
- Simpson’s Biplane Ejection Fraction: attempted even if LV function is normal (select a study where image quality permits measurement of a Simpson’s BP EF).
- Non-imaging CW Doppler: you are required to at least show the aortic signal acquired from apex. If AR, MR and/or TR present then you should also attempt to document these signals.
Case study 2 -
- Patient requirements: This case study is to be performed on a real adult patient with echocardiographic evidence of ischaemic heart disease (e.g., regional wall motion abnormalities or evidence of the complications of myocardial infarction).
- Simpson’s Biplane Ejection Fraction: select a study where image quality permits measurements of a Simpson’s BP EF
- Non-imaging CW Doppler: you are required to at least show the aortic signal acquired from apex. THIS IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF THIS CASE STUDY. If AR, MR and/or TR present, you should also attempt to document these signals also.
Submissions are graded as satisfactory / unsatisfactory. A detailed marking criteria is used for the allocation of grades. A moderation process including cross-marking of submissions ensures individual markers apply standards consistently and fairly.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
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: Practical
You are required to submit continuous wave (CW) Doppler traces, demonstrating your proficiency in using both the guided continuous wave (CW) Doppler probe and the non-imaging continuous wave (CW) Doppler probe (also known as the PEDOF probe) during a standard transthoracic echo study. You are to submit traces from five (5) real patients demonstrating this advanced technique, measurement accuracy and optimisation skills.
The assessment is graded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory against a marking criterion. A moderation process including cross-marking of submissions ensures individual markers apply standards consistently and fairly.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
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
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
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.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
The QUT bookshop stocks the recommended text for this course. All ASE guidelines are free and available online.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Anderson, B (2017). Echocardiography: The Normal Examination and Echocardiographic Measurements (3rd ed.). Brisbane: MGA Graphics. (This text is strongly recommended for all students)
Anderson, B (2014). A Sonographer's Guide to the Assessment of Heart Disease. MGA Graphics (This text is strongly recommended for all students)
Reference book(s)
Otto, C.M. (2023). Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier.
Other
American Society of Echocardiography Guideline and Recommendations: www.asecho.org
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CS61 Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Ultrasound
- Critically analyse clinical information to accurately differentiate normal cardiac anatomy and complex cardiac pathologies.
Relates to: Case Study Portfolio - Perform independent, culturally safe and patient-centred cardiac ultrasound examinations to a high level of technical proficiency and diagnostic accuracy.
Relates to: Case Study Portfolio, Practical - Communicate effectively with peers and multidisciplinary health professionals to explore the diagnostic value and limitations of cardiac ultrasound imaging.
Relates to: Case Study Portfolio - Practice as a reflective, ethical and collaborative professional committed to the sustainability of quality assured cardiac sonography practice.
Relates to: Case Study Portfolio