SEARCH 9Es Course

Sonographic Evaluation of Aetiology for Respiratory difficulty, Chest pain, or Hypotension 26-27 Oct 2026

Last updated 2 July 2026

The Course

SEARCH (Sonographic Evaluation of Aetiology for Respiratory Difficulty, Chest Pain, or Hypotension) 9E is a rapid and systematic algorithm designed to diagnose life-threatening conditions that require immediate intervention. Developed by Dr. Ha Young Rock, a distinguished South Korean emergency and critical care physician and former president of the Korean Society of Emergency Critical Care Imaging (SECCI), this innovative tool has significantly impacted the care of emergency and critically ill patients. Since 2011, Dr. Rock and his team have conducted comprehensive training programs across South Korea, successfully educating over 700 emergency physicians, intensivists, and respiratory medicine specialists through more than 35 workshops held both domestically and internationally. Their ongoing efforts are making a significant impact on emergency care worldwide.

Learning Objective

Over 1.5 days, the trainee will learn systematic ultrasound examination of the cardiovascular and pulmonary system and apply the SEARCH 9E algorithm in clinical practise. The SEARCH 9E algorithm focused on 9 ultrasound examination categories (9Es):

9 ultrasound examination categories (9Es):

Cardiovascular (6Es)

Pulmonary (3Es)

Effusion
Equality (right vs left heart function)
Ejection fraction
Endocardial wall motion
Entrance & Exit (aorta, vena cava)
Echodynamics

Emptiness (pneumothorax)
Edema (interstitial syndrome)
Effusion (fluid in body cavities)

Who should attend?

Critical care physicians, emergency physicians, physicians, surgeons, anaesthetist, nurse practitioners, residents, medical officers and healthcare workers involved in the management of patients in the acute setting.

ACGME-I Competencies

This course is designed to meet one or more of the following ACGME competencies:

Patient Care
Medical Knowledge
Practice-Based Learning and Improvement