Key result
Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) at the bedside allows for more efficient medical decision making, reducing medical errors and complications, and providing cost-effective management.
Point of care ultrasound is a valuable, cost-effective tool in the ICU and emergency department for rapid diagnosis and reducing procedural complications.
Supports POCUS in ED/ICU; leaves open need for RCTs before practice change.
Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) has seen an increase in use over the past several decades, especially in intensive care units (ICUs) and emergency departments. Use is divided into two main categories including diagnostic and procedural; enabling a more focused, less comprehensive examination than standard imaging provides. Rapid dynamic imaging at the bedside by the clinician allows for more efficient medical decision making, reducing medical errors and complications. Use of the modality at the bedside by the non-radiologist and non-cardiologist to examine the heart, lungs, obtain vascular access, and perform small drainage procedures has allowed for cost effective management. Currently used most prevalently in the ICUs and emergency departments to rapidly recognize and diagnose patients before initiating treatment plans. In addition to the diagnostic capabilities the use of US to help reduce complications and costs associated with guided procedures has increased and become standard of care over the past decades.
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Balmert et al. (2018) conducted a review in Intensive care and emergency department patients. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) vs. Standard imaging was evaluated. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) at the bedside allows for more efficient medical decision making, reducing medical errors and complications, and providing cost-effective management.
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