We are thrilled to announce an exciting partnership between the Neurocritical Care Society (NCS) and Sharp HealthCare for an upcoming workshop in San Diego. Immerse yourself in the world of neuroanatomy at Sharp Prebys’ state-of-the-art Innovation and Education Center in San Diego. This Interactive 3D Neuroanatomy Workshop is designed to keep you engaged and excited throughout. Under the guidance of esteemed clinicians Linda Littlejohns MSN, RN, FAAN, and DaiWai Olson PhD, RN, FNCS, this workshop promises a dynamic exploration of the brain’s intricate structures and vasculature. Their expertise and experience ensure that attendees gain valuable insights into common neurocritical care conditions such as stroke, trauma, and acute pathologies through interactive 3D tools, case studies, dual screens, a coloring book, and live demonstrations.

Aligning with the educator of choice strategic goal, NCS is excited to unite healthcare professionals and provide essential education to elevate knowledge and enhance patient outcomes for those facing life-threatening neurological illnesses.

This course will introduce image acquisition methods, ultrasound techniques, and clinical applications of point of care ultrasound in neurocritical care. We will employ live interactive didactic lectures that expand upon the principles of ultrasound image capture and clinical applications for echocardiography, lung ultrasound, and abdominal ultrasound. In-person hands-on sessions will be led by ultrasound specialists with experience in medical education techniques. Participants will learn how to acquire and troubleshoot image acquisition for high quality images. Ultrasound pathology observed in echocardiography, inferior vena cava evaluations, lung ultrasound, and abdominal ultrasound that are pertinent to cardiopulmonary assessments in critical care will be reviewed. Each participant should be able to perform focused heart, lung, and abdominal ultrasounds for evaluation of shock or respiratory failure by the end of this session.

Dr. Brittany Kasturiarachi introduces the Ultrasound Workshop in the video below; click to watch. 

This session provides a hands-on educational opportunity for clinicians to learn and demonstrate the necessary processes for determining brain death as well as the appropriate techniques for communicating with fellow providers and patient families. In-person workshop attendees will have 6 weeks after the conclusion of the workshop (until Monday, November 25, 2024), to complete an online exam demonstrating their knowledge and thus obtaining NCS Brain Death Determination certification.

A team of highly experienced clinicians will conduct a combination of didactic instruction, hands-on mannequin training, case scenarios and demonstrations of effective communication to guide proficiency in understanding the necessary steps to determine brain death. Instructors will cover all elements of the most recent 2023 AAN/AAP/SCCM/CNS brain death guidelines including step-by-step instructions and videos, with open dialogue for questions and answers.

Attendees will have an opportunity to perform or observe various exam elements on a mannequin and receive instructor feedback. Case vignettes will guide participants through various fictional but realistic scenarios requiring participants’ assessment and recommendations through robust group discussion. The session will conclude with speakers providing a venue for participants to view and participate in mock family discussions to practice communication techniques.

Upon conclusion of the in-person workshop, attendees will have the opportunity to complete an online exam demonstrating their knowledge and thus obtaining NCS Brain Death Determination certification.

Dr. David Greer introduces the Brain Death Determination Workshop in the video below; click to watch.