- Joined
- Mar 12, 2005
- Messages
- 5,863
- Reaction score
- 143
Yeah, at forty-six years old I'm older than most of you young studs out there (even though I can certainly put you to shame on the SQUAT RACK UNLESS YOU CAN SQUAT 405 TO THE FLOOR WHICH IS WAYYYYYY BELOW THE "PARALLEL" FREQUENTLY QUOTED AS THE "OPTIMAL ENDPOINT" OF SQUATTING BY (NAIVE) PERSONAL TRAINERS),
BUT AN OLD DOG CAN LEARN NEW TRICKS!!!
I transitioned to a physician owned boutique hospital February 1st that does primarily spines, ortho, and bariatrics. Formed my own group. Partnered with a buddy. Hired 5 great CRNAs.
Things couldn't be better. The future couldn't look brighter.
Cuppla years ago tried to introduce ultrasound guided peripheral nerve blocks to the large hospital I worked at. Went to Houston and watched a guru for several days.
Came back invigorated, ready to start. It never happened. Too many road blocks.
FAST FORWARD TO CURRENT DAY,
the first few months at my new gig were spent on pressing issues like efficiency, flow of the operating room, turnover time, etc.
We purchased an ultrasound machine way back when the building was still unfinished.
Last week we fired up the ultrasound.
To be honest, I was kinda intimidated since it had been so long since I'd used one. Nevertheless, Friday of last week we had four shoulders. We have a Mind Ray machine, so the company flew in an ultrasound tech to assist with our startup.
I was amazed at how fast I caught on.
I did two blocks.
My partner did two blocks.
We saw the anatomy, guided the needle under ultrasound guidance to the desired position, and
BOOM.
Four. Great. Blocks!!!
After hours we used each other's legs to visualize a popliteal block since we had a couple on the books. Yeah, I could see the sciatic nerve with the rep's help but didnt feel super confident.
On Monday we had two popliteal blocks.
I did one; my partner did one.
BOOM!
We saw the anatomy with ultrasound, guided the needle. At this stage we are "cheating:" i.e. using a Stimuplex needle attached to a nerve stimulator. I'm telling you, as soon as the needle tip (under ultrasound) reached the structure I had identified as the sciatic nerve, appropriate twitches were observed!!!!
I truly am amazed at how fast my partner and I are acquiring this new technology! Well, new to me anyway.
I'm pretty deft with the nerve stimulator, yet now realize how much better ultrasound guided nerve block is.
For anyone out there still using (only) nerve stimulation for nerve blocks....for whatever reason....dudes...it's incredible....you will pick up the technique CDAZY FAST...
Tomorrow another four shoulders...
and I CAN'T WAIT!!!
I am no longer intimidated.
I am GIDDY.
I know what you young stallions out there are saying:
"JET, WTF? I'VE BEEN DOING ULTRASOUND IN MY SLEEP FOR YEARS!!!"
I hear you man.
I'm joining you.
BUT AN OLD DOG CAN LEARN NEW TRICKS!!!
I transitioned to a physician owned boutique hospital February 1st that does primarily spines, ortho, and bariatrics. Formed my own group. Partnered with a buddy. Hired 5 great CRNAs.
Things couldn't be better. The future couldn't look brighter.
Cuppla years ago tried to introduce ultrasound guided peripheral nerve blocks to the large hospital I worked at. Went to Houston and watched a guru for several days.
Came back invigorated, ready to start. It never happened. Too many road blocks.
FAST FORWARD TO CURRENT DAY,
the first few months at my new gig were spent on pressing issues like efficiency, flow of the operating room, turnover time, etc.
We purchased an ultrasound machine way back when the building was still unfinished.
Last week we fired up the ultrasound.
To be honest, I was kinda intimidated since it had been so long since I'd used one. Nevertheless, Friday of last week we had four shoulders. We have a Mind Ray machine, so the company flew in an ultrasound tech to assist with our startup.
I was amazed at how fast I caught on.
I did two blocks.
My partner did two blocks.
We saw the anatomy, guided the needle under ultrasound guidance to the desired position, and
BOOM.
Four. Great. Blocks!!!
After hours we used each other's legs to visualize a popliteal block since we had a couple on the books. Yeah, I could see the sciatic nerve with the rep's help but didnt feel super confident.
On Monday we had two popliteal blocks.
I did one; my partner did one.
BOOM!
We saw the anatomy with ultrasound, guided the needle. At this stage we are "cheating:" i.e. using a Stimuplex needle attached to a nerve stimulator. I'm telling you, as soon as the needle tip (under ultrasound) reached the structure I had identified as the sciatic nerve, appropriate twitches were observed!!!!
I truly am amazed at how fast my partner and I are acquiring this new technology! Well, new to me anyway.
I'm pretty deft with the nerve stimulator, yet now realize how much better ultrasound guided nerve block is.
For anyone out there still using (only) nerve stimulation for nerve blocks....for whatever reason....dudes...it's incredible....you will pick up the technique CDAZY FAST...
Tomorrow another four shoulders...
and I CAN'T WAIT!!!
I am no longer intimidated.
I am GIDDY.
I know what you young stallions out there are saying:
"JET, WTF? I'VE BEEN DOING ULTRASOUND IN MY SLEEP FOR YEARS!!!"
I hear you man.
I'm joining you.
Last edited: