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Read this blog post, then watch the video to learn about lumbar puncture and epidural training with Blue Phantom
Spinal epidurals and lumbar puncture procedures are often employed in pain management protocols (catheterization of the epidural space to introduce anesthesia during labor or in advance of lower body surgery), or to extract cerebrospinal fluid around the vertebrae for diagnosis or treatment.
Clinicians may also use ultrasound-guided imaging to help with localization and ensure proper needle placement.
When conducted by an expertly trained medical professional, spinal taps and epidurals are generally safe and without major complication. However, physiological obstructions (such as pregnancy, obesity, or edema) can make it difficult to visualize and identify anatomical landmarks, adding an extra layer of effort to an already intricately involved process.
In fact, lumbar punctures and epidurals can be a technical challenge even for experienced professionals.
Simulation-Based Training Essentials for Spinal Taps and Epidurals
Clinicians who perform lumbar puncture and spinal epidural procedures on actual patients must possess a high degree of manual dexterity, hand–eye coordination, and confident ability to visualize and conceptualize anatomical images. Research shows that ultrasound-guided simulation-based training can help to improve clinical skills and patient outcomes associated with catheter insertion and needle placement.
Moreover, devices used for training in these procedures need to realistically mimic the echogenic properties of human tissue, provide haptic feedback and resist permanent damage by needle marks, as well as provide “loss of resistance” feedback when the needle is correctly placed.
Such a trainer model needs to have the capacity to be used over extended periods of time for the successful study of the osseous anatomy of the spine, and for practicing hand-eye coordination skills which are required to perform lumbar puncture and spinal epidurals.
Blue Phantom's Training Model allows clinicians to teach (and gives learners the opportunity to acquire) skills in ultrasound, blind insertion and visualization for lumbar puncture, lumbar epidural and thoracic epidural procedures.
Blue Phantom's Lumbar Puncture and Spinal Epidural model is equally suitable for:
Blue Phantom spinal epidural and lumbar puncture training models can be used with just about any ultrasound imaging system configured with the appropriate ultrasound transducer. Optional configurations include thoracic epidural and cervical epidural modules.
> > Watch the Blue Phantom Spinal Epidural and Lumbar Puncture Training Model Video Here
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