Pub Date : 2024-04-22DOI: 10.24908/pocus.v9i1.17240
Brandon Oto, Robert Baeten, Leon Chen, Puja Dalal, Ria Dancel, Steven Fox, Carl William Lange, Cameron M. Baston, Paul Bornemann, Siddharth P. Dugar, Andrew Goldsmith, M. Herbst, James N. Kirkpatrick, Abhilash Koratala, Michael J Lanspa, Viveta Lobo, Jason Nomura, A. Pustavoitau, Mourad Senussi, Vincent L Sorrell, Frances Mae West, A. Sarwal
Abstract Despite the growing use of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) in contemporary medical practice and the existence of clinical guidelines addressing its specific applications, there remains a lack of standardization and agreement on optimal practices for several areas of POCUS use. The Society of Point of Care Ultrasound (SPOCUS) formed a working group in 2022 to establish a set of recommended best practices for POCUS, applicable to clinicians regardless of their training, specialty, resource setting, or scope of practice. Using a three-round modified Delphi process, a multi-disciplinary panel of 22 POCUS experts based in the United States reached consensus on 57 statements in domains including: (1) The definition and clinical role of POCUS; (2) Training pathways; (3) Credentialing; (4) Cleaning and maintenance of POCUS devices; (5) Consent and education; (6) Security, storage, and sharing of POCUS studies; (7) Uploading, archiving, and reviewing POCUS studies; and (8) Documenting POCUS studies. The consensus statements are provided here. While not intended to establish a standard of care or supersede more targeted guidelines, this document may serve as a useful baseline to guide clinicians, leaders, and systems considering initiation or enhancement of POCUS programs.
{"title":"Best Practices for Point of Care Ultrasound: An Interdisciplinary Expert Consensus","authors":"Brandon Oto, Robert Baeten, Leon Chen, Puja Dalal, Ria Dancel, Steven Fox, Carl William Lange, Cameron M. Baston, Paul Bornemann, Siddharth P. Dugar, Andrew Goldsmith, M. Herbst, James N. Kirkpatrick, Abhilash Koratala, Michael J Lanspa, Viveta Lobo, Jason Nomura, A. Pustavoitau, Mourad Senussi, Vincent L Sorrell, Frances Mae West, A. Sarwal","doi":"10.24908/pocus.v9i1.17240","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24908/pocus.v9i1.17240","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Despite the growing use of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) in contemporary medical practice and the existence of clinical guidelines addressing its specific applications, there remains a lack of standardization and agreement on optimal practices for several areas of POCUS use. The Society of Point of Care Ultrasound (SPOCUS) formed a working group in 2022 to establish a set of recommended best practices for POCUS, applicable to clinicians regardless of their training, specialty, resource setting, or scope of practice. Using a three-round modified Delphi process, a multi-disciplinary panel of 22 POCUS experts based in the United States reached consensus on 57 statements in domains including: (1) The definition and clinical role of POCUS; (2) Training pathways; (3) Credentialing; (4) Cleaning and maintenance of POCUS devices; (5) Consent and education; (6) Security, storage, and sharing of POCUS studies; (7) Uploading, archiving, and reviewing POCUS studies; and (8) Documenting POCUS studies. The consensus statements are provided here. While not intended to establish a standard of care or supersede more targeted guidelines, this document may serve as a useful baseline to guide clinicians, leaders, and systems considering initiation or enhancement of POCUS programs.","PeriodicalId":74470,"journal":{"name":"POCUS journal","volume":"24 23","pages":"95 - 108"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140673247","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-22DOI: 10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16937
Zahraa Yousef Alqallaf, O. Maadarani, M. Elhabibi, Mohamad AbdelFatah, Z. Bitar
Abstract Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) can make an expedited diagnosis, which might lead to early correct management. POCUS should be used in a systemic and integrated approach to evaluate multiple organs in patients with sepsis and septic shock. We present a rare case of sepsis due to nontyphoidal Salmonella endocarditis with splenic abscess in which a multiorgan POCUS examination led to expedited treatment.
{"title":"Point of Care Ultrasound Used to Diagnose Nontyphoidal Endocarditis","authors":"Zahraa Yousef Alqallaf, O. Maadarani, M. Elhabibi, Mohamad AbdelFatah, Z. Bitar","doi":"10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16937","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16937","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) can make an expedited diagnosis, which might lead to early correct management. POCUS should be used in a systemic and integrated approach to evaluate multiple organs in patients with sepsis and septic shock. We present a rare case of sepsis due to nontyphoidal Salmonella endocarditis with splenic abscess in which a multiorgan POCUS examination led to expedited treatment.","PeriodicalId":74470,"journal":{"name":"POCUS journal","volume":"62 25","pages":"29 - 32"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140675554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-22DOI: 10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16621
Ambika Shivarajpur, Brian Kohen
Abstract Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is a useful modality to initially identify a molar pregnancy. In this case, we describe a 51-year-old perimenopausal woman who presented to the emergency department (ED) with vaginal bleeding. A transvaginal POCUS was performed, revealing findings concerning for a molar pregnancy. These findings led to prompt diagnosis and treatment.
{"title":"Vaginal Bleeding in a Peri-Menopausal Woman","authors":"Ambika Shivarajpur, Brian Kohen","doi":"10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16621","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16621","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is a useful modality to initially identify a molar pregnancy. In this case, we describe a 51-year-old perimenopausal woman who presented to the emergency department (ED) with vaginal bleeding. A transvaginal POCUS was performed, revealing findings concerning for a molar pregnancy. These findings led to prompt diagnosis and treatment.","PeriodicalId":74470,"journal":{"name":"POCUS journal","volume":"33 2","pages":"9 - 10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140676159","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-22DOI: 10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16761
Andrew W. Moore, Ali Mrad, Leonard Riley, Sonia Castillo
Abstract The tissue diagnosis and staging of all types of lung cancer is foundational for prognosis and establishing the optimal treatment plan. In order to appropriately stage lung cancer, the highest stage should be established using the 8th edition TNM criteria, where tumor size (T), nodal involvement (N), and metastasis (M) are all taken into account. Establishing a tissue diagnosis may involve the use of CT guided biopsy, navigational bronchoscopy, endobronchial biopsy, EBUS, percutaneous lymph node biopsy and/or excisional biopsy of supraclavicular nodes. It is recommended to proceed with the method that is considered least invasive and provides the highest staging. We present a case of recurrent lung adenocarcinoma diagnosed with real time ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of a neck lymph node.
{"title":"Point of Care Ultrasound Identification and Aspiration of a Neck Lymph Node","authors":"Andrew W. Moore, Ali Mrad, Leonard Riley, Sonia Castillo","doi":"10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16761","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16761","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The tissue diagnosis and staging of all types of lung cancer is foundational for prognosis and establishing the optimal treatment plan. In order to appropriately stage lung cancer, the highest stage should be established using the 8th edition TNM criteria, where tumor size (T), nodal involvement (N), and metastasis (M) are all taken into account. Establishing a tissue diagnosis may involve the use of CT guided biopsy, navigational bronchoscopy, endobronchial biopsy, EBUS, percutaneous lymph node biopsy and/or excisional biopsy of supraclavicular nodes. It is recommended to proceed with the method that is considered least invasive and provides the highest staging. We present a case of recurrent lung adenocarcinoma diagnosed with real time ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of a neck lymph node.","PeriodicalId":74470,"journal":{"name":"POCUS journal","volume":"28 10","pages":"11 - 13"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140674814","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-22DOI: 10.24908/pocus.v9i1.17494
Danny Yu Jia Ke, Melissa Tso, Amer Johri
Abstract Background: Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a condition with several cardiopulmonary etiologies that has the potential of progressing to right heart failure without proper intervention. After a history, physical exam, and investigations, cases of suspected PH typically undergo imaging via a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). This is a resource-intensive procedure that is less accessible in remote communities. However, point of care ultrasound (POCUS), a portable ultrasound administered at the bedside, has potential to aid in the diagnostic process of PH. Methods: The MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL databases were searched to screen the intersection of POCUS and PH. Studies involved adult patients, and only English articles were accepted. Reviews, case reports, unfinished research, and conference abstracts were excluded. Our aim was to identify primary studies that correlated POCUS scan results and additional clinical findings related to PH. Results: Nine studies were included after our search. In these studies, POCUS was effective in identifying dilatation of inferior vena cava (IVC); internal jugular vein (IJV); and hepatic, portal, and intrarenal veins in patients with PH. The presence of pericardial effusion, pleural effusion, or b-lines on POCUS are also associated with PH. Conclusions: This review suggests important potential for the use of POCUS in the initial screening of PH. IVC and basic cardiopulmonary POCUS exams are key for PH screening in patients with dyspnea. Right-heart dilatation can be visualized, and peripheral veins may be scanned based on clinical suspicion. POCUS offers screening as an extension of a physical exam, with direct visualization of cardiac morphology. However, more studies are required to develop a statistically validated POCUS exam for PH diagnosis. More studies should also be conducted at the primary-care level to evaluate the value of screening using POCUS for PH in less-differentiated patients.
{"title":"The Application of Point of Care Ultrasound to Screen for Pulmonary Hypertension: A Narrative Review","authors":"Danny Yu Jia Ke, Melissa Tso, Amer Johri","doi":"10.24908/pocus.v9i1.17494","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24908/pocus.v9i1.17494","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background: Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a condition with several cardiopulmonary etiologies that has the potential of progressing to right heart failure without proper intervention. After a history, physical exam, and investigations, cases of suspected PH typically undergo imaging via a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). This is a resource-intensive procedure that is less accessible in remote communities. However, point of care ultrasound (POCUS), a portable ultrasound administered at the bedside, has potential to aid in the diagnostic process of PH. Methods: The MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL databases were searched to screen the intersection of POCUS and PH. Studies involved adult patients, and only English articles were accepted. Reviews, case reports, unfinished research, and conference abstracts were excluded. Our aim was to identify primary studies that correlated POCUS scan results and additional clinical findings related to PH. Results: Nine studies were included after our search. In these studies, POCUS was effective in identifying dilatation of inferior vena cava (IVC); internal jugular vein (IJV); and hepatic, portal, and intrarenal veins in patients with PH. The presence of pericardial effusion, pleural effusion, or b-lines on POCUS are also associated with PH. Conclusions: This review suggests important potential for the use of POCUS in the initial screening of PH. IVC and basic cardiopulmonary POCUS exams are key for PH screening in patients with dyspnea. Right-heart dilatation can be visualized, and peripheral veins may be scanned based on clinical suspicion. POCUS offers screening as an extension of a physical exam, with direct visualization of cardiac morphology. However, more studies are required to develop a statistically validated POCUS exam for PH diagnosis. More studies should also be conducted at the primary-care level to evaluate the value of screening using POCUS for PH in less-differentiated patients.","PeriodicalId":74470,"journal":{"name":"POCUS journal","volume":"17 21","pages":"109 - 116"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140672176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-22DOI: 10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16858
Abhilash Koratala, Nilam J Soni, Rupal Mehta, Nathaniel C Reisinger
Abstract The rising demand for point of care ultrasound (POCUS) instruction during nephrology fellowship has been limited due to a shortage of trained faculty and courses designed specifically for nephrologists. A hands-on POCUS pre-course was organized during the April 2023 National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Spring Clinical Meeting to address this challenge. The course consisted of pre-recorded lectures and a 4-hour hands-on workshop guided by multidisciplinary POCUS experts. The anonymous post-course survey received responses from 25 out of 39 participants, yielding a 64.1% response rate. On a scale of 0-10, confidence levels for acquiring kidney images rose from 2.6 + 2.3 (mean + SD) pre-workshop to 7.8 + 1.5 post-workshop (p<0.001). Similarly, a remarkable improvement in confidence for acquiring lung and cardiac images was seen as scores increased from 1.8 + 2.4 to 7.7 + 1.5 (p<0.001) and from 1.5 + 2.2 to 7.2 + 1.3 (p<0.001), respectively. Additionally, respondents reported a substantial improvement in their confidence to interpret kidney, lung, and cardiac POCUS images, with scores increasing from 4.5 + 2.2 to 7.7 + 1.1 (p<0.001), 2.3 + 2.4 to 7.6 + 1.5 (p<0.001), and 2 + 2 to 7.3 + 1.5 (p<0.001), respectively. Barriers to implementing POCUS use at institutions included a perceived lack of trained faculty, limited protected time for faculty, and insufficient support from division leadership. The NKF POCUS pre-course successfully improved participants’ confidence in acquiring and interpreting basic POCUS images.
{"title":"Effectiveness of a Brief Point of Care Ultrasound Course at a National Nephrology Conference","authors":"Abhilash Koratala, Nilam J Soni, Rupal Mehta, Nathaniel C Reisinger","doi":"10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16858","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16858","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The rising demand for point of care ultrasound (POCUS) instruction during nephrology fellowship has been limited due to a shortage of trained faculty and courses designed specifically for nephrologists. A hands-on POCUS pre-course was organized during the April 2023 National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Spring Clinical Meeting to address this challenge. The course consisted of pre-recorded lectures and a 4-hour hands-on workshop guided by multidisciplinary POCUS experts. The anonymous post-course survey received responses from 25 out of 39 participants, yielding a 64.1% response rate. On a scale of 0-10, confidence levels for acquiring kidney images rose from 2.6 + 2.3 (mean + SD) pre-workshop to 7.8 + 1.5 post-workshop (p<0.001). Similarly, a remarkable improvement in confidence for acquiring lung and cardiac images was seen as scores increased from 1.8 + 2.4 to 7.7 + 1.5 (p<0.001) and from 1.5 + 2.2 to 7.2 + 1.3 (p<0.001), respectively. Additionally, respondents reported a substantial improvement in their confidence to interpret kidney, lung, and cardiac POCUS images, with scores increasing from 4.5 + 2.2 to 7.7 + 1.1 (p<0.001), 2.3 + 2.4 to 7.6 + 1.5 (p<0.001), and 2 + 2 to 7.3 + 1.5 (p<0.001), respectively. Barriers to implementing POCUS use at institutions included a perceived lack of trained faculty, limited protected time for faculty, and insufficient support from division leadership. The NKF POCUS pre-course successfully improved participants’ confidence in acquiring and interpreting basic POCUS images.","PeriodicalId":74470,"journal":{"name":"POCUS journal","volume":"43 19","pages":"71 - 74"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140676098","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-22DOI: 10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16854
Wei Ven Chin, Mae Jane Khaw
Abstract Gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess (GFLPA) carries a high mortality rate. Early identification of the source of infection in sepsis results in better survival. Bedside point of care ultrasound (POCUS) can be used to help localize a source of infection. A 59-year-old man presented with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and was diagnosed with GFLPA on the initial encounter via clinical assessment and POCUS examination. After commencing antibiotics, optimal glucose control, adequate fluid resuscitation, and early infective source control, he achieved full recovery and was followed up in outpatient medical and surgical clinics. This case illustrates the role of POCUS as a diagnostic tool in sepsis and raises awareness among clinicians to recognize the features of GFLPA on POCUS.
{"title":"Gas Forming Pyogenic Liver Abscess Diagnosed by Point of Care Ultrasound","authors":"Wei Ven Chin, Mae Jane Khaw","doi":"10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16854","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16854","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess (GFLPA) carries a high mortality rate. Early identification of the source of infection in sepsis results in better survival. Bedside point of care ultrasound (POCUS) can be used to help localize a source of infection. A 59-year-old man presented with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and was diagnosed with GFLPA on the initial encounter via clinical assessment and POCUS examination. After commencing antibiotics, optimal glucose control, adequate fluid resuscitation, and early infective source control, he achieved full recovery and was followed up in outpatient medical and surgical clinics. This case illustrates the role of POCUS as a diagnostic tool in sepsis and raises awareness among clinicians to recognize the features of GFLPA on POCUS.","PeriodicalId":74470,"journal":{"name":"POCUS journal","volume":"39 6","pages":"41 - 43"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140674341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-22DOI: 10.24908/pocus.v9i1.17201
E. Scheier
Abstract Studies have demonstrated the high sensitivity and specificity of pediatric emergency department (PED) point of care ultrasound (POCUS) in the evaluation of testicular torsion. Rarely, testicular torsion may present with intact blood flow. Here, we present a case series of four children with testicular torsion confirmed intraoperatively, who had intact blood flow on POCUS. Markers of testicular torsion can include surrounding hydrocele, heterogenous echotexture, absent venous or high resistance arterial flow, or a torsed cord complex. POCUS practitioners should be familiar with these findings, and the presence of any one or more of these findings should prompt urgent urology consultation to avoid missed torsion.
{"title":"Testicular Torsion with Intact Blood Flow: A Point of Care Ultrasound Case-Series","authors":"E. Scheier","doi":"10.24908/pocus.v9i1.17201","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24908/pocus.v9i1.17201","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Studies have demonstrated the high sensitivity and specificity of pediatric emergency department (PED) point of care ultrasound (POCUS) in the evaluation of testicular torsion. Rarely, testicular torsion may present with intact blood flow. Here, we present a case series of four children with testicular torsion confirmed intraoperatively, who had intact blood flow on POCUS. Markers of testicular torsion can include surrounding hydrocele, heterogenous echotexture, absent venous or high resistance arterial flow, or a torsed cord complex. POCUS practitioners should be familiar with these findings, and the presence of any one or more of these findings should prompt urgent urology consultation to avoid missed torsion.","PeriodicalId":74470,"journal":{"name":"POCUS journal","volume":"77 7","pages":"55 - 59"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140675313","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-22DOI: 10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16678
Nilan Schnure, Mahmoud Mohamed Elfadil, Wilma Chan, Cameron M. Baston, Frances Shofer, Nova Panebianco
Abstract Objectives: Despite growing use of point of care ultrasound (POCUS), there remains a paucity of data about familiarity with POCUS among educators who dictate curricular content in undergraduate medical education. This paper aims to longitudinally characterize the level of comfort and frequency of POCUS use among faculty involved in undergraduate clerkship education. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey assessing comfort, frequency of use, and awareness of indications for POCUS among faculty involved in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Surgery undergraduate clerkship education in a single urban academic medical center in 2016 and again in 2022. Results: A total of 45 responses from 2016 and 30 responses from 2022 are included. The percentage of faculty “not comfortable” with performing POCUS decreased from 78% to 46%, although the overall change in comfort was not statistically significant. Comfort interpreting POCUS images, frequency of POCUS use, and familiarity with the clinical applications of POCUS all improved. Faculty identified multiple barriers to more frequent POCUS use. Conclusions: Over a six-year period at one urban, academic medical center, comfort with POCUS and frequency of use have increased slightly but remain low among core faculty responsible for clerkship education. There are still large gaps in knowledge and very few faculty regularly use POCUS, which can be attributed to multiple different barriers.
{"title":"Trends in Point of Care Ultrasound Familiarity Among Undergraduate Medical Clerkship Educators","authors":"Nilan Schnure, Mahmoud Mohamed Elfadil, Wilma Chan, Cameron M. Baston, Frances Shofer, Nova Panebianco","doi":"10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16678","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16678","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Objectives: Despite growing use of point of care ultrasound (POCUS), there remains a paucity of data about familiarity with POCUS among educators who dictate curricular content in undergraduate medical education. This paper aims to longitudinally characterize the level of comfort and frequency of POCUS use among faculty involved in undergraduate clerkship education. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey assessing comfort, frequency of use, and awareness of indications for POCUS among faculty involved in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Surgery undergraduate clerkship education in a single urban academic medical center in 2016 and again in 2022. Results: A total of 45 responses from 2016 and 30 responses from 2022 are included. The percentage of faculty “not comfortable” with performing POCUS decreased from 78% to 46%, although the overall change in comfort was not statistically significant. Comfort interpreting POCUS images, frequency of POCUS use, and familiarity with the clinical applications of POCUS all improved. Faculty identified multiple barriers to more frequent POCUS use. Conclusions: Over a six-year period at one urban, academic medical center, comfort with POCUS and frequency of use have increased slightly but remain low among core faculty responsible for clerkship education. There are still large gaps in knowledge and very few faculty regularly use POCUS, which can be attributed to multiple different barriers.","PeriodicalId":74470,"journal":{"name":"POCUS journal","volume":"55 8","pages":"80 - 86"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140677391","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-22DOI: 10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16988
Andrew Helber, Margaret Provencher, Christy Moore, Nova Panebianco
Abstract The differential diagnosis for abdominal or pelvic pain in women of child-bearing age that present to the emergency department is broad. A rare cause of abdominal and pelvic pain is hematometra, or a collection of blood products within the uterus. While blood is normally expelled through menses, this process is disrupted in some patients due to congenital or acquired abnormalities. This can lead to progressive uterine distension and pain, which may ultimately require medical or surgical intervention. Hematometra is rare, but is a serious condition that can be diagnosed easily at bedside using point of care ultrasound.
{"title":"Hematometra: A Rare Case of Pelvic Pain in Females Identified with Point of Care Ultrasound","authors":"Andrew Helber, Margaret Provencher, Christy Moore, Nova Panebianco","doi":"10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16988","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24908/pocus.v9i1.16988","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The differential diagnosis for abdominal or pelvic pain in women of child-bearing age that present to the emergency department is broad. A rare cause of abdominal and pelvic pain is hematometra, or a collection of blood products within the uterus. While blood is normally expelled through menses, this process is disrupted in some patients due to congenital or acquired abnormalities. This can lead to progressive uterine distension and pain, which may ultimately require medical or surgical intervention. Hematometra is rare, but is a serious condition that can be diagnosed easily at bedside using point of care ultrasound.","PeriodicalId":74470,"journal":{"name":"POCUS journal","volume":"26 1","pages":"14 - 15"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140677767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}