What is Point-of-Care Ultrasonography?

Point-of-care ultrasound refers to the use of portable ultrasonography at a patient’s bedside for diagnostic (e.g., symptom or sign-based examination) and therapeutic (e.g., image-guidance) purposes. Kendall et al. defined the characteristics of point-of-care (emergency) ultrasound .

Characteristics of Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Exam is for a well-defined purpose linked to improving patient outcomes

Exam is focused and goal-directed

Exam findings are easily recognizable

The exam is easily learned

Exam is quickly performed

Exam is performed at the patient’s bedside

Advantages of Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Point-of-care ultrasonography has the potential to save billions of dollars on an annual basis across health systems It is has the capacity to revolutionize patient care and improve procedural efficacy, decrease complications, and limit pain and suffering. Advances in ultrasound technology have fueled the emergence of point-of-care ultrasonography, including improved ease-of-use, superior image quality, and lower cost ultrasound units.

The primary barrier to future universal adoption of this operator-dependent “stethoscope of the future” is the lack of widespread, efficient, and affordable training solutions. (Frost and Sullivan, Moore) The need and demand for ultrasonography training has grown in parallel to the expanded use of ultrasound technology.

Point-of-care ultrasonography improves healthcare.While traditional methods of performing a physical examination are of critical importance, healthcare practitioners that becomeskilled in the use of point-of-care ultrasonography becomeuniquely empowered. Higher fidelity, lower cost, and smaller(handheld) ultrasound units coupled with innovative ultrasoundtraining solutions (e.g.,SonoSim Ultrasound Training Solution)have created a unique opportunity. Healthcare providers, facilities, and health systems that strategically incorporate point-of-care ultrasound into clinical practice will rapidly distinguish themselves from those who refrain from incorporating this highly valuable modality.

References

[1]Frost and Sullivan. Unites States Ultrasound Markets Strategic Report. [cited 2011 Apr 4]. Available from: URL: http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/report-brochure.pag?id=A675-01-00-00-00#report-overview

[2]Kendall JL, Hoffenberg SR, Smith RS. History of emergency and critical care ultrasound: the evolution of a new imaging paradigm. Crit Care Med 2007 May;35(5 Suppl):S126-S130.

[3]Moore CL, Gregg S, Lambert M. Performance, training, quality assurance, and reimbursement of emergency physician-performed ultrasonography at academic medical centers. J Ultrasound Med 2004 Apr;23(4):459-466

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