Point-of-care ultrasound versus radiology department pelvic ultrasound on emergency department length of stay

Abstract

BACKGROUND:The study aimed to compare the time to overall length of stay (LOS) for patients who underwent point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) versus radiology department ultrasound (RDUS). METHODS:This was a prospective study on a convenience sample of patients who required pelvic ultrasound imaging as part of their emergency department (ED) assessment. RESULTS:We enrolled a total of 194 patients who were on average 32 years-old. Ninety-eight (51%) patients were pregnant (<20 weeks). Time to completion of RDUS was 66 minutes longer than POCUS (95%CI 60-73, P<0.01). Patients randomized to the RDUS arm experienced a 120 minute longer ED length of stay (LOS) (95%CI 66-173, P<0.01) CONCLUSION:In patients who require pelvic ultrasound as part of their diagnostic evaluation, POCUS resulted in a signifi cant decrease in time to ultrasound and ED LOS.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound is Associated With Decreased Length of Stay in Children Presenting to the Emergency Department With Soft Tissue Infection

“…RECEIVED: 5 June 2017; FINAL SUBMISSION RECEIVED: 7 August 2017; ACCEPTED: 15 September 2017 POCUS is being used with increasing frequency in the pediatric ED and can improve ED throughput (9)(10)(11)(12). In contrast, radiology-performed ultrasound is typically performed outside of the ED, which can lead to increased length of stay (LOS).…”

Point-of-care ultrasound to diagnose appendicitis in a Canadian emergency department

“…3 However, an adult's approximate effective radiation dose for a CT abdomen and pelvis ranges from 11 mSv to 20 mSv, which is comparable to a natural background radiation of 3 to 5 years. 4 Although ultrasound is a radiation-free option, many emergency departments (EDs) have limited hours when it comes to ultrasound availability. Moreover, when compared to point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), a radiologist-performed ultrasound has been shown to result in a 120-minute longer ED length of stay.…”

Sigmoid cancer mimicking ovarian echotexture on transvaginal ultrasound: Case report with literature review

“…Acute causes also include ectopic pregnancy, ovarian torsion, ruptured ovarian cyst, and appendicitis [35] , [36] . Due to the high volume of patients presenting for pelvic pain, transvaginal point of care ultrasound for ED physicians has been a source of ongoing discussion and research [37 , 38 , 41] . Nonradiologists performing ultrasound may be more focused on the uterus and ovaries as typical sources of pelvic pain and may incorrectly assign abnormal pelvic ultrasound findings to the reproductive organs.…”