Pre-hospital point-of-care ultrasound

2019 ◽  
pp. 227-236
Author(s):  
Nils Petter Oveland ◽  
Jim Connolly
Keyword(s):  
Image Quality ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Medical Field ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
Current State ◽  
Therapeutic Decisions

Over the last two decades, ultrasound has evolved from a modality reserved to certain medical specialties into its current state, with a diversity in both the operator background and clinical applications. This has, in large part, been due to the increasing portability and image quality of ultrasound machines, combined with decreased cost of systems, as well as the fact that physicians from different specialties can become very adept at using ultrasound for diagnostic and procedural applications relevant to their medical field. These characteristics add the aspect for operators to make bedside diagnostic and therapeutic decisions in real time, without having to take the patients out of their environment. Point-of-care ultrasound is therefore a particularly attractive modality in pre-hospital settings as an extension of the comprehensive Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure/Extremities (ABCDE) resuscitation.

scholarly journals Multi-organ point-of-care ultrasound for COVID-19 (PoCUS4COVID): international expert consensus

Critical Care ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arif Hussain ◽  
Gabriele Via ◽  
Lawrence Melniker ◽  
Alberto Goffi ◽  
Guido Tavazzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Ultrasound ◽  
Expert Panel ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Expert Consensus ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
The Past ◽  
Modified Delphi ◽  
Grade Methodology

AbstractCOVID-19 has caused great devastation in the past year. Multi-organ point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) including lung ultrasound (LUS) and focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) as a clinical adjunct has played a significant role in triaging, diagnosis and medical management of COVID-19 patients. The expert panel from 27 countries and 6 continents with considerable experience of direct application of PoCUS on COVID-19 patients presents evidence-based consensus using GRADE methodology for the quality of evidence and an expedited, modified-Delphi process for the strength of expert consensus. The use of ultrasound is suggested in many clinical situations related to respiratory, cardiovascular and thromboembolic aspects of COVID-19, comparing well with other imaging modalities. The limitations due to insufficient data are highlighted as opportunities for future research.

scholarly journals Non-Invasive Intracranial Pressure Evaluation in an Emergency Room – Point-of-Care Ultrasonography

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (04) ◽  
pp. 279-283
Author(s):  
Daniel Damiani ◽  
Durval Damiani
Keyword(s):  
Intracranial Pressure ◽  
Randomized Trials ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Nerve Sheath ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasonography

AbstractPoint-of-care ultrasound is modifying conducts in emergency care. The various medical specialties, in addition to traditional indications in cases of multiple trauma, are using this technique for rapid diagnosis at the bedside without patient mobilization and without radiation. Point-of-care ultrasound in neurocritical patients, through its transorbital window, can estimate the intracranial pressure by a non-invasive method. Through the measurement of the diameter of the optic nerve sheath 3 mm posterior to the retina, the intracranial pressure is estimated if the value of the diameter is > 5 mm, as it has been verified in other studies. The present article describes the most current data on this topic, and it also highlights the need for more multicentric and randomized trials to determine the correct cut-off points that represent the high sensibility and specificity of the method.

“To Do or Not To Do?” Clinical Integration of Point-Of-Care Ultrasound After Training: A Prospective Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wan-Ching Lien ◽  
Chih-Heng Chang ◽  
Kah-Meng Chong ◽  
Meng-Che Wu ◽  
Cheng-Yi Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Image Quality ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Global Rating ◽  
Clinical Integration ◽  
Valuable Adjunct ◽  
Global Ratings ◽  
Group 1

Abstract Background: Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) can serve as a valuable adjunct for patient care. This study aimed to investigate the clinical integration of PoCUS of the first post-graduate year (PGY-1) residents after a PoCUS curriculum.Methods: The prospective study was conducted at the emergency department (ED) of the National Taiwan University Hospital between July 2015 and October 2017. Every PGY-1 resident had one-month ED training and a PoCUS curriculum was implemented during the first week. The post-training objective structured clinical examination global ratings were obtained, as well as the sonographic examinations the residents performed on shifts. Four groups could be identified: group 1 performed PoCUS before and after the curriculum; group 2 performed only after the curriculum; group 3 performed only before the curriculum; the last did not perform any examinations.Results: 239 residents participated. The median global rating was 4 (interquartile ranges, 4-5). After the curriculum, an increasing number of residents integrated PoCUS into patient care (64 vs. 170, p=0.037) with acceptable image quality. No differences existed in the global ratings between 4 groups, however, nearly 30% of residents did not use PoCUS during their shifts. Group 1 performed more cases with better image quality and using ≥2 US applications (8/100 vs. 82/359, p=0.0009), compared with those before the curriculum. Comparing with those in groups 1 and 2, group 1 performed more cases (p<0.0001) with better image quality (p=0.03). “No suitable cases” (25/69), and “choosing other imaging priorities” (43/69) were the main feedbacks in groups 3 and 4.Conclusions: A short focused US training had an immediate positive impact on OSCE global ratings and integration of PoCUS of PGY-1 residents in the ED. The global ratings could not predict whether to use PoCUS in the ED practice. Although the working climate was designated to be friendly for utilizing US, a substantial percentage of residents did not use PoCUS. Further longitudinal studies would be needed for the sustained effects of the curriculum.Trial registration: NCT03738033.

scholarly journals POCUS for Nephrologists - Basic Principles and a General Approach

Kidney360 ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 10.34067/KID.0002482021
Author(s):  
Abhilash Koratala ◽  
Nathaniel Reisinger
Keyword(s):  
Physical Examination ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Fluid Status ◽  
Valuable Adjunct ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasonography ◽  
Fragmentation Of Care

Point of care ultrasonography (POCUS) has evolved as a valuable adjunct to physical examination in the recent past and various medical specialties have embraced it. However, POCUS training and scope of practice remain relatively undefined in nephrology. The utility of diagnostic POCUS beyond kidney and vascular access is under-recognized. Assessment of fluid status is a frequent dilemma faced by nephrologists in day-to-day practice where multi-organ POCUS can enhance the sensitivity of conventional physical examination. POCUS also reduces fragmentation of care, facilitates timely diagnosis, and expedites management. While the need for further imaging studies is obviated in selected cases, POCUS is not meant to serve as an alternative to consultative imaging. In addition, utility of POCUS depends on the skills and experience of the operator, which in turn depends on the quality of training. In this review, we discuss the rationale behind nephrologists performing POCUS, discuss case examples to illustrate the basic principles of focused ultrasonography, and share our experience-based opinion about developing a POCUS training program at the institutional level.

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