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Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine

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01-12-2020 | Ultrasound | Original research

Point-of-care ultrasound induced changes in management of unselected patients in the emergency department - a prospective single-blinded observational trial

Authors: Jesper Weile, Christian A. Frederiksen, Christian B. Laursen, Ole Graumann, Erik Sloth, Hans Kirkegaard

Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Point-of-Care ultrasound (POCUS) changes the management in specific groups of patients in the Emergency Department (ED). It seems intuitive that POCUS holds an unexploited potential on a wide variety of patients. However, little is known about the effect of ultrasound on the broad spectrum of unselected patients in the ED. This study aimed to identify the effect on the clinical management if POCUS was applied on unselected patients. Secondarily the study aimed to identify predictors of ultrasound changing management.

Methods

This study was a blinded observational single center trial. A basic whole body POCUS protocol was performed in extension to the physical examination. The blinded treating physicians were interviewed about the presumptive diagnosis and plan for the patient. Subsequently the physicians were unblinded to the POCUS results and asked to choose between five options regarding the benefit from POCUS results.

Results

A total of 403 patients were enrolled in this study. The treating physicians regarded POCUS examinations influence on the diagnostic workup or treatment as following: 1) No new information: 249 (61.8%), 2) No further action: 45 (11.2%), 3) Further diagnostic workup needed: 52 (12.9%), 4) Presumptive diagnosis confirmed 38 (9.4%), and 5) Immediate treatment needed: 19 (4.7%). Predictors of beneficial ultrasound were: (a) triage > 1, (b) patient comorbidities (cardiac disease, hypertension or lung disease), or (c) patients presenting with abdominal pain, dyspnea, or syncope.

Conclusion

POCUS was found to be potentially beneficial in 27.0% of all patients. High triage score, known cardiac disease, hypertension, pulmonary diseases, a clinical presentation with abdominal pain, dyspnea, or syncope are predictors of this. Future research should focus on patient-important outcomes when applying POCUS on these patients.

Trial registration

The trail was registered prior to patient inclusion with the Danish Data Protection Agency (https://www.datatilsynet.dk/ Case no: 1–16–02-603-14) and Clinical Trials (www.clinicaltrials.gov/ Protocol ID: DNVK1305018).

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Title: Point-of-care ultrasound induced changes in management of unselected patients in the emergency department - a prospective single-blinded observational trial
Authors: Jesper Weile
Christian A. Frederiksen
Christian B. Laursen
Ole Graumann
Erik Sloth
Hans Kirkegaard
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Ultrasound
Triage
Dyspnea
Care
Dyspnea
Ultrasound
Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1757-7241
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-020-00740-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Point-of-care ultrasound induced changes in management of unselected patients in the emergency department - a prospective single-blinded observational trial

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

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