Professional Standards in Thoracic Ultrasound - EFSUMB Position Paper

This position paper of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) on professional standards in thoracic ultrasound is an adjunct to EFSUMB's previously published professional standards in medical ultrasound - general aspects. The paper represents a position across the different medical professions within EFSUMB regarding optimal standards for the performing and reporting of thoracic ultrasound examinations by any professional ultrasound practitioner. It describes aspects that ensure procedure quality, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability in application of thoracic ultrasound. Recommendations are given related to safety and indication of thoracic ultrasound examinations, requirements for examination rooms, structured examination, systematic reporting of results, and management, communication and archiving of ultrasound data.