Trial Outcomes & Findings for Evaluation of Implementation of a National Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training Program (NCT NCT03296280)

NCT ID: NCT03296280

Last Updated: 2020-11-23

Results Overview

Provider self-reported data pre- and post-intervention on frequency of point-of-care ultrasound use, based on number of exams per week.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Target enrollment

116 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline compared to 6-9 months later.

Results posted on

2020-11-23

Participant Flow

10 facilities were to participate in the first 6 POCUS course session during FY17. 10 facilities were to participate in the last 6 POCUS course sessions during FY17. Participants, rather than facilities, were recruited and assigned to to the early or late intervention arms.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Early Intervention
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo early training by participating in the first 6 POCUS course sessions during FY17. Although facilities are being recruited the intervention is taking place at the individual level. All reporting will be at the individual level.
Late Intervention
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo late training by participating in the last 6 POCUS courses during FY17. Although facilities are being recruited the intervention is taking place at the individual level. All reporting will be at the individual level.
Overall Study
STARTED
73
43
Overall Study
COMPLETED
67
36
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
6
7

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Row populations differs from Overall because age was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Early Intervention
n=73 Participants
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo early training by participating in the first 6 POCUS course sessions during FY17
Late Intervention
n=43 Participants
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo late training by participating in the last 6 POCUS courses during FY17.
Total
n=116 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
45.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.6 • n=70 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because age was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
43.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.7 • n=39 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because age was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
44.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.7 • n=109 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because age was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
Sex: Female, Male
Female
27 Participants
n=70 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because sex was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
18 Participants
n=39 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because sex was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
45 Participants
n=109 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because sex was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
Sex: Female, Male
Male
43 Participants
n=70 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because sex was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
21 Participants
n=39 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because sex was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
64 Participants
n=109 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because sex was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected
0 Participants
Race and Ethnicity were not collected from any participant.
Provider Specialty
Anesthesiology
6 participants
n=70 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
7 participants
n=39 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
13 participants
n=109 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
Provider Specialty
Critical Care
10 participants
n=70 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
8 participants
n=39 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
18 participants
n=109 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
Provider Specialty
Emergency Medicine
13 participants
n=70 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
9 participants
n=39 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
22 participants
n=109 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
Provider Specialty
Endocrinology
1 participants
n=70 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
0 participants
n=39 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
1 participants
n=109 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
Provider Specialty
General Surgery
0 participants
n=70 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
3 participants
n=39 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
3 participants
n=109 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
Provider Specialty
Internal Medicine
31 participants
n=70 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
10 participants
n=39 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
41 participants
n=109 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
Provider Specialty
Pulmonary
8 participants
n=70 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
2 participants
n=39 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
10 participants
n=109 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
Provider Specialty
Other
1 participants
n=70 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
0 participants
n=39 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
1 participants
n=109 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because provider specialty was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
Facility Location
Continental
13 participants
n=73 Participants
0 participants
n=43 Participants
13 participants
n=116 Participants
Facility Location
Midwest
11 participants
n=73 Participants
4 participants
n=43 Participants
15 participants
n=116 Participants
Facility Location
Northeast
8 participants
n=73 Participants
12 participants
n=43 Participants
20 participants
n=116 Participants
Facility Location
Pacific
11 participants
n=73 Participants
11 participants
n=43 Participants
22 participants
n=116 Participants
Facility Location
Southeast
30 participants
n=73 Participants
16 participants
n=43 Participants
46 participants
n=116 Participants
Years of practice since residency
14.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.4 • n=70 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because years since residency was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
11.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.9 • n=39 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because years since residency was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
13.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.5 • n=109 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because years since residency was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
Percent of time performing direct patient care
57 % of time performing direct pt care
STANDARD_DEVIATION 30 • n=70 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because percent of time performing direct patient care was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
58 % of time performing direct pt care
STANDARD_DEVIATION 23 • n=39 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because percent of time performing direct patient care was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.
57 % of time performing direct pt care
STANDARD_DEVIATION 28 • n=109 Participants • Row populations differs from Overall because percent of time performing direct patient care was self-reported through an online survey and was not answered by all participants.

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline compared to 6-9 months later.

Population: Participants who completed a provider survey both at the start and about 6-9 months later

Provider self-reported data pre- and post-intervention on frequency of point-of-care ultrasound use, based on number of exams per week.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Early Intervention
n=62 Participants
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo early training by participating in the first 6 POCUS course sessions during FY17
Late Intervention
n=33 Participants
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo late training by participating in the last 6 POCUS courses during FY17.
Change in Frequency of Point-of-care Ultrasound Use for Diagnostic and Procedural Applications at Baseline and 6-9 Months
12.9 Number of POCUS Exams/week
Interval 4.5 to 21.3
4.0 Number of POCUS Exams/week
Interval 1.0 to 7.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline compared to 6-9 months later.

Population: Participants who completed a knowledge survey both at the start and about 6-9 months later were analyzed. Those who did not provide both surveys are not reported. Row populations may therefore differ from total population counts.

Provider knowledge will be tested pre- and post-intervention (at baseline \[pre-course\] and 6-9 months post-course). Knowledge Exam has a minimum of 0 points and a maximum of 30 points (1 pt per question). A higher score indicates more knowledge about POCUS. A positive change in score means a better outcome post-course (net increase in knowledge) compared to baseline.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Early Intervention
n=57 Participants
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo early training by participating in the first 6 POCUS course sessions during FY17
Late Intervention
n=27 Participants
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo late training by participating in the last 6 POCUS courses during FY17.
Change in Point-of-care Ultrasound Knowledge From Baseline to 6-9 Months
5.3 change in score on POCUS Knowledge scale
Interval 4.4 to 6.2
6.5 change in score on POCUS Knowledge scale
Interval 4.4 to 8.6

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline compared to 6-9 months later.

Population: Participants who completed a skills survey both at the start and about 6-9 months later were analyzed. Those who did not provide both surveys are not reported. Row populations may therefore differ from total population counts.

Provider hands-on cardiac skills will be tested pre- and post-intervention (at baseline \[pre-course\], and 6-9 months post-course). The minimum score on the POCUS Cardiac Skills scale is 0 points and the maximum is 100 points. A higher score indicates more skill. A positive change in score means a better outcome post-course (net increase in skills) compared to baseline.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Early Intervention
n=58 Participants
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo early training by participating in the first 6 POCUS course sessions during FY17
Late Intervention
n=23 Participants
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo late training by participating in the last 6 POCUS courses during FY17.
Change in Point-of-care Ultrasound Cardiac Skills From Baseline to 6-9 Months
41.6 change in score on Cardiac Skills scale
Interval 35.2 to 48.0
46.1 change in score on Cardiac Skills scale
Interval 35.6 to 56.6

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline compared to 6-9 months later.

Population: Participants who completed a skills survey both at the start and about 6-9 months later were analyzed. Those who did not provide both surveys are not reported. Row populations may therefore differ from total population counts.

Provider hands-on lung skills will be tested pre- and post-intervention (at baseline \[pre-course\], and 6-9 months post-course). The minimum score on the POCUS Lung Skills scale is 0 points and the maximum is 100 points. A higher score indicates more skill. A positive change in score means a better outcome post-course (net increase in skills) compared to baseline.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Early Intervention
n=58 Participants
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo early training by participating in the first 6 POCUS course sessions during FY17
Late Intervention
n=24 Participants
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo late training by participating in the last 6 POCUS courses during FY17.
Change in Point-of-care Ultrasound Lung Skills From Baseline to 6-9 Months
49.2 change in score on Lung Skills scale
Interval 43.4 to 55.0
60.5 change in score on Lung Skills scale
Interval 50.8 to 70.3

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline compared to 6-9 months later.

Population: Participants who completed a skills survey both at the start and about 6-9 months later were analyzed. Those who did not provide both surveys are not reported. Row populations may therefore differ from total population counts.

Provider hands-on peripheral IV skills will be tested pre- and post-intervention (at baseline \[pre-course\], and 6-9 months post-course). The minimum score on the POCUS Peripheral IV Skills scale is 0 points and the maximum is 100 points. A higher score indicates more skill. A positive change in score means a better outcome post-course (net increase in skills) compared to baseline.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Early Intervention
n=54 Participants
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo early training by participating in the first 6 POCUS course sessions during FY17
Late Intervention
n=21 Participants
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo late training by participating in the last 6 POCUS courses during FY17.
Change in Point-of-care Ultrasound Peripheral IV Skills From Baseline to 6-9 Months
31.6 change in score on Peri-IV Skills scale
Interval 24.7 to 38.6
40.5 change in score on Peri-IV Skills scale
Interval 26.1 to 54.9

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline compared to 6-9 months later.

Population: Participants who completed a skills survey both at the start and about 6-9 months later were analyzed. Those who did not provide both surveys are not reported. Row populations may therefore differ from total population counts.

Provider hands-on abdominal skills will be tested pre- and post-intervention (at baseline \[pre-course\], and 6-9 months post-course). The minimum score on the POCUS Abdominal Skills scale is 0 points and the maximum is 100 points. A higher score indicates more skill. A positive change in score means a better outcome post-course (net increase in skills) compared to baseline.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Early Intervention
n=58 Participants
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo early training by participating in the first 6 POCUS course sessions during FY17
Late Intervention
n=24 Participants
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo late training by participating in the last 6 POCUS courses during FY17.
Change in Point-of-care Ultrasound Abdominal Skills From Baseline to 6-9 Months
40.8 change in score on Abdom Skills scale
Interval 34.1 to 47.5
54.8 change in score on Abdom Skills scale
Interval 44.7 to 65.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline compared to 6-9 months later.

Population: Participants who reported not knowing how to use POCUS machine in survey at the beginning of the course

Change in percentage of providers who reported not knowing how to operate POCUS 6-9 months post-course compared to pre-course. A positive percentage indicates a better outcome post-course.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Early Intervention
n=22 Participants
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo early training by participating in the first 6 POCUS course sessions during FY17
Late Intervention
n=9 Participants
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo late training by participating in the last 6 POCUS courses during FY17.
Change in Barrier to Point-of-care Ultrasound Use (Ability to Operate) From Baseline to 6-9 Months Post-Course
68 percentage of participants
67 percentage of participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline compared to 6-9 months later.

Population: Participants who reported at least one barrier 6-9 months after course

Change in percentage of providers who reported experiencing difficulty with maintaining POCUS skills pre-course compared to 6-9 months post-course. A positive percentage indicates more providers are experiencing this barrier post-course, which is not unexpected as more providers acquire POCUS skills.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Early Intervention
n=30 Participants
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo early training by participating in the first 6 POCUS course sessions during FY17
Late Intervention
n=19 Participants
This cohort of 10 facilities will undergo late training by participating in the last 6 POCUS courses during FY17.
Change in Barriers to Point-of-care Ultrasound Use (Skill Maintenance) From Baseline to 6-9 Months Post-Course
23 percentage of participants
37 percentage of participants

Adverse Events

Early Intervention

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Late Intervention

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Nilam Soni

South Texas Veterans Health Care System / UT Health San Antonio

Phone: 210-949-9454

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place