Effects of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Multidisciplinary Medical Wards

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a bedside portable ultrasound technique utilized by healthcare providers to offer rapid and non-invasive diagnostic imaging. This method significantly aids in diagnosis and treatment by enhancing accuracy, guiding treatment adjustments, aiding procedural interventions, and reducing the time to appropriate treatment, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes. POCUS also decreases the reliance on other imaging modalities, providing real-time information and minimizing additional imaging needs.

POCUS has proven particularly effective in critical care and emergency settings. However, its application in general medical wards, where patients often present with multiple comorbidities, remains under-researched. The potential value of POCUS in these wards is notable, as it can facilitate early complication detection and timely treatment adjustments, reducing complication incidences.

Additionally, the feasibility of nurse practitioners (NPs) performing POCUS is promising. NPs, as frontline healthcare professionals, can use POCUS to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. Despite limited research on POCUS by less experienced operators, NP-conducted POCUS could provide timely, high-quality care, especially in situations with limited physician availability. The routine use of POCUS in patient admissions to medical wards may improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce diagnostic resource utilization, and shorten hospital stays.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18 years or older
• Admitted directly from emergency department

Exclusion criteria

• End-of-life care
• Immediate need for life-support therapy or ICU transfer
• Airborne isolation