Point-of-care ultrasound

Abstract

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is defined as ultrasonography brought to the patient and performed by the provider in real time. Critical care providers are increasingly using this modality to quickly evaluate their patients at the bedside. This rapidly growing imaging modality has demonstrated utility for nearly every organ system, including cardiac, pulmonary, hemodynamic, vascular, neurologic, and gastrointestinal status. POCUS has added value to other bedside assessment tools, such as traditional physical examination and chest radiography, for the detection and management of multiple pathologies relevant to each of these organ systems. From this growing experience, structured routes have been developed for education, skill development, and competency evaluation. This chapter seeks to highlight the utility of noncardiac POCUS modalities.