Point of care ultrasound for triage of critically ill patients in the emergency department

Abstract

Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) has been a constantly evolving and growing tool utilized by emergency medicine and intensive care practitioners. Ultrasound use for the assessment and management of critically ill patients has been available for several decades with the focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) exam being one of the first widely adopted POCUS protocols. This along with other established protocols has made an impact on the care delivered to critically ill patients. This narrative review will cover some of the history of POCUS in the emergency department, brief considerations for machines and infrastructure, and current uses including in trauma, shock/hypotension, cardiac arrest, dyspnea, abdomen, vascular, and procedural guidance. Furthermore, it will provide a review of the evidence supporting its efficacy in managing critically ill patients and future directions.