FOCUSED on POCUS
FOCUSED on POCUS
Ultrasound performed at the patient’s bedside, also known as point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), is a commonly used tool in the emergency department (ED). POCUS enables physicians to rapidly obtain answers to focused clinical questions.
The aim of this thesis of Svenja Haak was to investigate the added value of POCUS during the different stages of an ED visit: assessment, management and outcome prediction. One of the studies demonstrated that POCUS can be a reliable tool for detecting lung abnormalities in patients with COVID 19. Other studies in this thesis proved that POCUS is useful for diagnosing or excluding fractures of the clavicle and elbow. These applications may support faster clinical decision making and help reduce unnecessary radiographic imaging or referrals, particularly in settings where access to X ray imaging is limited.
However, POCUS did not show added value in all clinical situations. For example, the use of POCUS during reduction of a distal radius fractures did not lead to improved outcomes. Furthermore, muscle measurement of the thigh in older ED patients using POCUS was not a reliable predictor for ED revisit or death within 3 months. A study on ultrasound guided peripheral intravenous cannulation showed that practical barriers, such as high workload and limited training, play an important role in the feasibility of POCUS research in the ED.
This thesis demonstrates that POCUS can be a valuable addition to emergency care, provided it is used judiciously, physicians receive adequate training and findings are always interpreted within the context of the patient’s overall clinical presentation.