Muhammad Arslan Zahid Huma Nasir Sheharyar Abid Muhammad Hamza Sheikh Shuja Ul Islam Alam Sawwa Shoaib Jamil

Keywords: Abdominal point-of-care ultrasound, Cardiopulmonary Point of care Ultrasound, Point of care ultrasound (PoCUS), Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics and gynecology, Patient Safety, Anesthesiology, POCUS Training, Training

Abstract

A crucial diagnostic tool that revolutionizes medical practice is point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS), which offers real-time, non-invasive imaging at the patient's bedside. Anesthesia, emergency medicine, infectious diseases, nephrology, obstetrics, orthopedics, urology, and internal medicine are just a few of the medical professions that have employed it. PoCUS improves accuracy and safety in anesthesia by supporting regional anesthetic guiding, heart function monitoring, and preoperative evaluations. Through the Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) test, PoCUS facilitates rapid diagnosis in trauma treatment, allowing for prompt decision-making for crucial interventions.

PoCUS aids in the detection of fluid collections and abscesses in infectious disorders, assisting in the formulation of treatment plans. It is crucial for kidney assessments and directing biopsies in nephrology, which enhances patient care. PoCUS has helped obstetrics with labor management, fetal monitoring, and early pregnancy evaluation. It transforms the diagnosis of tendon rupture and joint effusion in orthopedics. It is employed in urology to guide treatments such as biopsies and catheter implantation, as well as to evaluate the kidney and bladder.

By enhancing patient care, the cutting-edge imaging technology PoCUS has the potential to completely transform healthcare. However, issues including resource availability, specific training, and operator experience prevent it from being widely used. Integrating organized training programs across medical disciplines is necessary to reach its full potential, improving accuracy, cost, and accessibility.

Abbreviations: AI: artificial intelligence, AKI: acute kidney injury, FAST: Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma: PEA: pulseless electrical activity, PoCUS: point-of-care ultrasound, RUSH: Rapid Ultrasound in Shock

Key Words: Abdominal Point-Of-Care Ultrasound; Cardiopulmonary Point of Care Ultrasound; Point of Care Ultrasound (Pocus); Emergency Medicine; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Anesthesiology; Patient Safety; POCUS Training; Training

Citation: Zahid MA, Nasir H, Abid S, Shuja Ul Islam MHS, Sawwa A, Jamil S. Why is it necessary for every medical specialty to learn point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS)? A comprehensive review. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2025;29(4):392-399. DOI: 10.35975/apic.v29i4.2827

Received: May 09, 2024; Revised: October 26, 2024; Accepted: January 01, 2025