• Zohair A Al Aseri, Reema M Al Hussein, Mohammed A Malabarey, Bader A AlYahya, Faisal A Al Moaiqel, Mariam A Al Ansari, and Khaled N Alrajhi.
• College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail. zalaseri@ksu.edu.sa.
• Saudi Med J. 2020 Jul 1; 41 (7): 698-702.

ObjectivesTo determine the ultrasound guidance for central venous catheter (USG-CVC) placement rate of emergency physicians (EPs) in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.MethodsA cross-sectional survey study regarding the respondents' demographic profiles, formal and informal training in USG-CVC placement, experiences, and attitudes towards the procedure was emailed to all EPs registered with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) between October and December 2018.ResultsIn total, 234/350 SCFHS-registered EPs completed the survey; the response rate was 66.9%. Most respondents (70.5%) were board-certified in emergency medicine (EM). Ninety percent indicated that US device for CVC placement assistance was available. Most EPs (78.2%) had performed USG-CVC placement; the US usage rate correlated significantly with recent graduation from residency (p=0.048). In total, 83.3% received formal training during residency. Of the 234 respondents, 53.8% felt extremely comfortable with CVC placement with USG and 19.7% without USG (p less than 0.01). Nevertheless, most respondents desired further USG-CVC training.ConclusionDespite existing evidence and a consensus on its superiority over the landmark technique, USG-CVC placement has not been adopted by a small proportion of EPs into clinical practice. Formal training, education, and institutional provision of permanent onsite US machines may address any barriers.

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