International recommendations on competency in critical care ultrasound: pertinence to Australia and New Zealand.

The use of echocardiography and other applications of ultrasound in the management of critically ill patients is becoming mainstream. With increased accessibility to equipment, the main challenges are in providing training and drawing up an outline of what levels of competency should be achieved. An international body of experienced critical care physician sonographers has reached consensus on guidelines in training and on two levels of competency - basic and advanced. Formal structures to aid the physician have been developed in Australia and New Zealand.