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Research Snapshot Theater: Future of Critical Care, Adult and Pediatric

Improving Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Access Simulation Training Using Augmented Reality

Tuesday, March 24, 2026
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Central Time
Location: Connections Central - RST 03
  • JC

    Jeffrey D. Coote, MD

    University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, Alabama

    Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose.

  • Vidit Bhargava, MD

    University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama

    Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose.

  • Aya Al-Noubani, MD (she/her/hers)

    Alabama

    Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose.

  • SG

    Stacy Gaither, MSN, RN

    Director of Research
    Children's of Alabama Pediatric Simulation Center

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • FR

    Fazlur Rahman, PhD

    Associate Professor
    University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • NR

    Nicholas Rockwell, MD

    Assistant Professor
    University of Alabama at Birmingham

    Disclosure information not submitted.

Introduction: Augmented reality (AR) offers an immersive experience by overlaying digital content onto the real world, creating a more realistic and three-dimensional environment for users. We hypothesized that AR technology would improve live procedural performance of trainees. This study aimed to demonstrate the utility of AR in assisting resident and fellow ultrasound-guided central line simulation training.


Methods: This was a prospective observational study. Physician trainees participating in residency and fellowship programs at the University of Alabama at Birmingham were recruited for this study. Participants received brief training on ultrasound-guided vascular access and use of AR. All participants performed vascular access with and without AR assistance. A Microsoft HoloLens 2 AR headset equipped with the HoloUS application was used to display real-time ultrasound imaging to the user. Our primary outcomes include: the number of needle sticks, head redirections and total time required for successful vascular access. We also surveyed the participants about their experience using AR and their preferences for the use of this technology in the future.


Results: Fifty-one physician trainees participated in the study. All participants were successfully able to obtain vascular access on each attempt. There was no significant difference between groups in the time (30.06 seconds versus 29.96 seconds; p 0.0803) or number of needle sticks (1.18 versus 1.25; p 0.5391). However, there was a significant reduction in the average number of head redirections (2.96 versus 5.26, mean difference -2.31; 95% CI: -4.42 to -2.02; p 0.033) required with the use of AR. Results from survey data showed a preference toward the use of AR in performing vascular access, with 51% of participants favoring AR assistance, and 25% reporting no difference. Also, 76% of participants indicated they would opt to use AR technology to assist with vascular access if it were available to them.


Conclusions: AR is a feasible tool in vascular access training. It is non-inferior to ultrasound guidance alone in total time spent and number of needle sticks and superior with fewer head turns in obtaining vascular access.