Adapting Gel-Wax into an Ultrasound Guided Pericardiocentesis Model at Low Cost
[Article]
Daly, Robert; Planas, Jason Henry; Edens, MaryAnn
Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening emergency for which pericardiocentesis may be required. Real-time bedside ultrasound has obviated the need for routine blind procedures in cardiac arrest and the number of pericardiocenteses being performed has declined. Despite this fact, pericardiocentesis remains an essential skill in emergency medicine. While commercially available training models exist, cost, durability, and lack of anatomical landmarks limit their usefulness. We sought to create a pericardiocentesis model that is realistic, simple to build, reusable, and cost efficient. The model was constructed utilizing a red dye filled ping-pong ball (simulating the left ventricle) and a 250cc NS bag (simulating the effusion) encased in an artificial rib cage and held in place by gel-wax. The inner saline bag was connected to a 1L saline bag outside of the main assembly to act as a fluid reservoir for repeat uses. The entire construction process takes approximately 16-20 hours, most of which is attributed to cooling of the gel-wax. Actual construction time is approximately 4 hours at a cost of less than
2017
Western Journal of Emergency Medicine: Integrating Emergency Care with Population Health