scholarly journals A cost-minimisation analysis of performing point-of-care ultrasonography on patients with vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy in general practice: a decision analytical model

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Swaathi Kiritharan ◽  
Mille Vang Johanson ◽  
Martin Bach Jensen ◽  
Janus Nikolaj Laust Thomsen ◽  
Camilla Aakjær Andersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Vaginal Bleeding ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Usual Practice ◽  
Cost Minimisation Analysis ◽  
Input Parameters ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasonography

Abstract Background Spotting and light vaginal bleeding are common and usually harmless symptoms in early pregnancy. Still, vaginal bleeding may be the first sign of an abortion and often causes distress to pregnant women and leads to an expectation of an ultrasonography examination of the uterus. As point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is increasingly being integrated into general practice, these patients may be clinically evaluated and managed by general practitioners (GPs). This can potentially reduce referrals of patients from the primary to the secondary healthcare sector resulting in societal cost-savings. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate whether the accessibility of POCUS in general practice for patients with vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy is cost-saving compared to usual practice where GPs do not have access to POCUS. A secondary purpose of this study was to estimate a remuneration for GPs performing POCUS on these patients in general practice. Methods A cost-minimisation analysis was based on a decision tree model reflecting the two alternatives: general practice with and without GPs having access to POCUS. The robustness of the model results was investigated using probabilistic sensitivity analysis and the following deterministic sensitivity analyses: one-way analyses for the model input parameters and a scenario analysis with a change from a societal to a healthcare sector perspective. An expected remuneration reflecting the add-on cost of Danish GPs performing POCUS was estimated based on the related costs: cost of an ultrasonography scanner, GP’s time consumption, ultrasonography training, and utensils per scanning. Results The difference in average cost between the two alternatives from a societal perspective was estimated to be €110, in favour of general practice with GPs using POCUS. The deterministic sensitivity analyses demonstrated robustness of the results to plausible changes in the input parameters. The expected remuneration for performing POCUS in this specific setting was estimated to be €32 per examination. Conclusion Having GPs perform POCUS on patients with vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy is cost-saving compared to usual practice. The results should be taken with caution as this study was based on early modelling with uncertainties associated with the input parameters in the model.

Early pregnancy and pelvic ultrasound

2019 ◽  
pp. 107-116
Author(s):  
Ryan Henneberry ◽  
Chris Cox ◽  
Beatrice Hoffmann ◽  
Paul Atkinson
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Vaginal Bleeding ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Clinical Parameters ◽  
Intrauterine Pregnancy ◽  
First Trimester Pregnancy

Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) has an important role in the management of vaginal bleeding and/or abdominal pain in early pregnancy. When combined with other clinical parameters, PoCUS enables the treating physician to accurately confirm the presence of an early intrauterine pregnancy (IUP). This chapter provides a suggested algorithm for the use of bedside ultrasound and clinical findings to safely assess patients with first-trimester pregnancy pain or bleeding and rule out an ectopic pregnancy. Both trans-abdominal and trans-vaginal approaches are described in detail.

scholarly journals MP07: Office-based family physicians’ use of point of care ultrasound for early pregnancy complaints

CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
pp. S67
Author(s):  
C. Varner ◽  
S.L. McLeod ◽  
S. Hu ◽  
E. Bearss ◽  
A. Singwi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Vaginal Bleeding ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Cardiac Activity ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound

Introduction: In Canada, family physicians (FPs) provide the majority of early pregnancy care. To receive a same day US, most patients will be sent to the emergency department (ED). FPs are starting to use point of care ultrasound (POCUS) for a variety of indications. The FaMOUS course was modeled after the Canadian Emergency Ultrasound Society (CEUS) ED Echo (EDE) curriculum and adapted with permission for FPs. The objective of this study was to assess the indications for POCUS use in early pregnancy and determine the diagnostic accuracy of POCUS performed by FPs following FaMOUS certification to detect intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) and fetal cardiac activity (FCA). Methods: This was a prospective, observational study conducted in 3 FP clinics from November 2015 to June 2016. Pregnant women <20 weeks gestational age who underwent a focused, transabdominal POCUS by a FaMOUS-certified FP using a handheld GE VScan were enrolled. FPs documented the presence or absence of IUP and FCA. The reference standard was radiologist-interpreted US performed after the FP POCUS. FPs were surveyed to assess provider confidence using POCUS and perceived impact on clinical decision-making. Results: Of 253 eligible patients, 56 (22.1%) underwent POCUS. Of these, 50 (89.3%) had a radiologist-interpreted US following the office-based FP visit. POCUS was used for the following indications: 11 (19.6%) had vaginal bleeding, 5 (8.9%) had abdominal pain, 7 (12.5%) had both vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain, and the indication for 33 (58.9%) patients was unclear. All patients had a documented IUP, resulting in a sensitivity of 94.0% (95% CI: 83.5%, 98.5%) and 100% positive predictive value. FCA resulted in sensitivity of 82.9% (95% CI: 69.2, 92.4%) and specificity of 100% (95% CI: 29.2%, 100.0%). When surveyed, 100% of FPs were confident performing POCUS and reported POCUS had an overall positive impact on clinical practice. 75% agreed the use of POCUS decreased the need for urgent radiologist-interpreted US. Conclusion: Following a certification process modeled after the CEUS EDE curriculum, FPs used POCUS for both CEUS-defined indications and indications that were unclear. FPs trained in early pregnancy POCUS demonstrated excellent diagnostic accuracy identifying IUP and FCA. Future study should assess the clinical impact of office-based POCUS, including whether its use results in decreased ED visits for this patient population.

scholarly journals Patients’ experiences of the use of point-of-care ultrasound in general practice – a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla Aakjær Andersen ◽  
John Brodersen ◽  
Torsten Rahbek Rudbæk ◽  
Martin Bach Jensen
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Final Questionnaire ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasonography ◽  
Almost All

Abstract Background The use of point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) performed by general practitioners (GPs) in primary care settings is increasing. Previous studies have focused on GP-reported outcomes and little is known about patients’ perspectives on the use of POCUS technology within the general practice consultation. The purpose of this study was to examine patients’ experiences with POCUS in general practice within the areas where GPs have indicated that POCUS affected aspects of the consultation. Methods A questionnaire was developed using a mixed methods sequential design. Analytical themes from interviews with GPs were converted into items in a questionnaire by the research team. The questionnaire was then further developed in several rounds of pilot tests involving both patients and GPs. The final questionnaire was used in a cohort study conducted in 18 Danish office-based general practice clinics from January 2018 to August 2018. All patients examined with POCUS were asked to complete the questionnaire on tablets immediately after their consultation. Results Out of 691 patients examined, 564 (81.6%) questionnaires were available for analysis. The patients reported that they were well informed about the purpose (98%) and the results (97%) of the POCUS examination; however, 29% reported that they were not informed about the difference between POCUS and an imaging-specialist’s ultrasound examination. Almost all patients (99%) reported that POCUS was integrated naturally into the consultation, and 45% reported that POCUS improved the doctor-patient relationship. The majority of patients felt that they had been more thoroughly examined (92%) and taken more seriously (58%) when POCUS was part of the consultation. They felt POCUS gave them a better understanding of their health problem (82%), made them feel more secure (86%) and increased their trust in the physician’s assessment (65%). Moreover, the patients reported that POCUS use improved the level of service (95%) they experienced and the quality of care (94%) in general practice. Conclusion We found that an examination including POCUS in general practice was a positive experience overall for the majority of patients. Future research should further explore reasons for patient confidence in POCUS and whether or not the reassuring value of POCUS is valid. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03416608

scholarly journals Use and impact of point-of-care ultrasonography in general practice: a prospective observational study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e037664
Author(s):  
Camilla Aakjær Andersen ◽  
John Brodersen ◽  
Annette Sofie Davidsen ◽  
Ole Graumann ◽  
Martin Bach B Jensen
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Prospective Observational Study ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Median Frequency ◽  
Frequency Of Use ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasonography ◽  
The Relationship

ObjectivesTo describe how general practitioners (GPs) use point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) and how it influences the diagnostic process and treatment of patients.DesignProspective observational study using an online questionnaire before and after POCUS.SettingOffice-based general practice.ParticipantsTwenty GPs consecutively recruited all patients examined with POCUS in 1 month.Primary and secondary outcome measuresWe estimated the use of POCUS through the indication for use, the frequency of use, the time consumption, the extent of modification of the examination and the findings.The influence on the diagnostic process was estimated through change in the tentative diagnoses, change in confidence, the ability to produce ultrasound images and the relationship between confidence and organs scanned or tentative diagnoses.The influence of POCUS on patient treatment was estimated through change in plan for the patient, change in patient’s treatment and the relationship between such changes and certain findings.ResultsThe GPs included 574 patients in the study. POCUS was used in patient consultations with a median frequency of 8.6% (IQR: 4.9–12.6). Many different organs were scanned covering more than 100 different tentative diagnoses. The median time taken to perform POCUS was 5 min (IQR: 3–8). Across applications and GPs, POCUS entailed a change in diagnoses in 49.4% of patients; increased confidence in a diagnosis in 89.2% of patients; a change in the management plan for 50.9% of patients including an absolute reduction in intended referrals to secondary care from 49.2% to 25.6%; and a change in treatment for 26.5% of patients.ConclusionsThe clinical utilisation of POCUS was highly variable among the GPs included in this study in terms of the indication for performing POCUS, examined scanning modalities and frequency of use. Overall, using POCUS altered the GPs’ diagnostic process and clinical decision-making in nearly three out of four consultations.Trial registration numberNCT03375333.

Introducing point-of-care ultrasound in Danish general practice—elucidating the use through a medical audit

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla Aakjær Andersen ◽  
Annika Kamp Frandsen ◽  
Christian Valentiner-Branth ◽  
Jesper Lykkegaard ◽  
Thomas Løkkegaard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Registration Period ◽  
Diagnostic Certainty ◽  
Audit Project ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasonography

Abstract Background Point-of-care ultrasonography (PoCUS) is increasingly used across the medical field. PoCUS is also being implemented in general practice despite a lack of clinical guidelines and training programs for general practitioners (GPs). Objectives This study aimed to elucidate the employment of PoCUS by Danish GPs following a short training program. Methods Thirty GPs were enrolled in a short ultrasound training program and taught how to perform 22 selected scanning modalities. In the following 3 months, the GPs registered all performed PoCUS examinations according to the Audit Project Odense method. After 5 months, the GPs were invited to participate in an evaluation seminar, where questionnaires were distributed. Results During the registration period, 1598 patients were examined with PoCUS. A total of 1948 scanning modalities were registered, including 207 examinations outside the taught curriculum. The majority of the ultrasound examinations were performed within 10 minutes (89%), most were considered to be conclusive (87%) and/or to increase diagnostic certainty (67%), whereas one in four examinations entailed a change in patient management. Most GPs attending the evaluation seminar continued to use PoCUS and found the scanning modalities included in the course curriculum relevant in their daily work. Conclusion The GPs found several indications for performing PoCUS following the attendance of a 2-day basic training program. The majority of examinations were registered to be conclusive and/or increase diagnostic certainty. However, few GPs used PoCUS on a daily basis and not all examinations were registered to have an impact on patient care.

Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasonography in Simulation-Based Advanced Cardiac Life Support Scenarios

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Cha ◽  
Allan Gottschalk ◽  
Erik Su ◽  
Adam Schiavi ◽  
Adam Dodson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Advanced Cardiac Life Support ◽  
Simulation Based ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasonography

scholarly journals Utilisation of musculoskeletal ultrasonography for the evaluation of septic arthritis in a patient presenting to the emergency department with fever during the era of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. e242370
Author(s):  
Jiodany Perez ◽  
Stefani Sorensen ◽  
Michael Rosselli
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Septic Arthritis ◽  
Glenohumeral Joint ◽  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Significant Morbidity ◽  
Anchoring Bias ◽  
Septic Bursitis ◽  
Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasonography

Prompt recognition and treatment of septic arthritis are crucial to prevent significant morbidity and mortality in affected patients. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, anchoring bias may make an already challenging diagnosis like septic arthritis more difficult to diagnose quickly and efficiently. Musculoskeletal (MSK) point of care ultrasonography (POCUS) is an imaging modality that can be used to quickly and efficiently obtain objective findings that may help a clinician establish the diagnosis of septic arthritis. We report a case where MSK POCUS was a key element in establishing the diagnosis of glenohumeral joint septic arthritis and subdeltoid septic bursitis for a patient that presented to the emergency department with a fever during the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Point of Care Ultrasonography for Objective Assessment of Heart Failure: Integration of Cardiac, Vascular, and Extravascular Determinants of Volume Status

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Abhilash Koratala ◽  
Amir Kazory
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Volume Status ◽  
Lung Water ◽  
Ultrasound Evaluation ◽  
Reliable Assessment ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasonography

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Lingering congestion portends poor outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) and is a key target in their management. Studies have shown that physical exam has low yield in this setting and conventional methods for more precise assessment and monitoring of volume status (e.g., body weight, natriuretic peptides, and chest radiography) have significant inherent shortcomings. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> Point of care ultrasonography (POCUS) is a noninvasive versatile bedside diagnostic tool that enhances the sensitivity of conventional physical examination to gauge congestion in these patients. It also aids in monitoring the efficacy of decongestive therapy and bears prognostic significance. In this narrative review, we discuss the role of focused sonographic assessment of the heart, venous system, and extravascular lung water/ascites (i.e., the pump, pipes, and the leaks) in objective assessment of fluid volume status. <b><i>Key Messages:</i></b> Since each of the discussed components of POCUS has its limitations, a combinational ultrasound evaluation guided by the main clinical features would be the key to reliable assessment and effective management of congestion in patients with HF.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional study reporting concussion exposure, assessment and management in Western Australian general practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Thomas ◽  
HuiJun Chih ◽  
Belinda Gabbe ◽  
Melinda Fitzgerald ◽  
Gill Cowen
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Usual Practice ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Concussion Management ◽  
Practice Knowledge ◽  
Western Australian

Abstract Background General Practitioners (GPs) may be called upon to assess patients who have sustained a concussion despite limited information being available at this assessment. Information relating to how concussion is actually being assessed and managed in General Practice is scarce. This study aimed to identify characteristics of current Western Australian (WA) GP exposure to patients with concussion, factors associated with GPs’ knowledge of concussion, confidence of GPs in diagnosing and managing patients with concussion, typical referral practices and familiarity of GPs with guidelines. Methods In this cross-sectional study, GPs in WA were recruited via the RACGP WA newsletter and shareGP and the consented GPs completed an electronic survey. Associations were performed using Chi-squared tests or Fisher’s Exact test. Results Sixty-six GPs in WA responded to the survey (response rate = 1.7%). Demographics, usual practice, knowledge, confidence, identification of prolonged recovery as well as guideline and resource awareness of GPs who practised in regional and metropolitan areas were comparable (p > 0.05). Characteristics of GPs were similar between those who identified all symptoms of concussion and distractors correctly and those who did not (p > 0.05). However, 84% of the respondents who had never heard of concussion guidelines were less likely to answer all symptoms and distractors correctly (p = 0.039). Whilst 78% of the GPs who were confident in their diagnoses had heard of guidelines (p = 0.029), confidence in managing concussion was not significantly associated with GPs exposure to guidelines. It should be noted that none of the respondents correctly identified signs of concussion and excluded the distractors. Conclusions Knowledge surrounding concussion guidelines, diagnosis and management varied across GPs in WA. Promotion of available concussion guidelines may assist GPs who lack confidence in making a diagnosis. The lack of association between GPs exposure to guidelines and confidence managing concussion highlights that concussion management may be an area where GPs could benefit from additional education and support.

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