A narrative review on the use of ultrasonography in critical care transport: is POCUS hocus?. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shekhar, Aditya C.; Blumen, Ira
• Is Part Of: Trends in anaesthesia and critical care. Volume 41(2021)
• Page Start: 6
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Ultrasound -- Critical care transport -- Helicopter EMS -- Air medical -- Trauma -- Prehospital; Anesthesia -- Periodicals; Critical care medicine -- Periodicals; Anesthesia in traumatology -- Periodicals; Anesthesia -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 617.9605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tacc.2021.07.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2210-8440

Abstract

Abstract: The use of ultrasound imaging in the in-hospital setting has grown in popularity over the last few decades, distinguishing itself as a valuable tool for both diagnosis and procedural guidance. Despite widespread adoption in the in-hospital setting, ultrasound use has remained extremely limited in the out-of-hospital setting until very recently. The critical care transport setting – especially the air-medical environment – presents unique opportunities and challenges for ultrasonography. A number of intriguing studies have shown how ultrasound has the potential to improve patient care and augment provider abilities specifically in critical care transport. This review chronologically summarizes the use of ultrasound in critical care transport, paying special attention to how various studies uncovered specific ultrasound applications, ultrasound challenges unique to critical care transport, and how the use of ultrasound impacted both patients and providers.