scholarly journals MP07: Office-based family physicians’ use of point of care ultrasound for early pregnancy complaints

CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
pp. S67
Author(s):  
C. Varner ◽  
S.L. McLeod ◽  
S. Hu ◽  
E. Bearss ◽  
A. Singwi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Vaginal Bleeding ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Cardiac Activity ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound

Introduction: In Canada, family physicians (FPs) provide the majority of early pregnancy care. To receive a same day US, most patients will be sent to the emergency department (ED). FPs are starting to use point of care ultrasound (POCUS) for a variety of indications. The FaMOUS course was modeled after the Canadian Emergency Ultrasound Society (CEUS) ED Echo (EDE) curriculum and adapted with permission for FPs. The objective of this study was to assess the indications for POCUS use in early pregnancy and determine the diagnostic accuracy of POCUS performed by FPs following FaMOUS certification to detect intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) and fetal cardiac activity (FCA). Methods: This was a prospective, observational study conducted in 3 FP clinics from November 2015 to June 2016. Pregnant women <20 weeks gestational age who underwent a focused, transabdominal POCUS by a FaMOUS-certified FP using a handheld GE VScan were enrolled. FPs documented the presence or absence of IUP and FCA. The reference standard was radiologist-interpreted US performed after the FP POCUS. FPs were surveyed to assess provider confidence using POCUS and perceived impact on clinical decision-making. Results: Of 253 eligible patients, 56 (22.1%) underwent POCUS. Of these, 50 (89.3%) had a radiologist-interpreted US following the office-based FP visit. POCUS was used for the following indications: 11 (19.6%) had vaginal bleeding, 5 (8.9%) had abdominal pain, 7 (12.5%) had both vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain, and the indication for 33 (58.9%) patients was unclear. All patients had a documented IUP, resulting in a sensitivity of 94.0% (95% CI: 83.5%, 98.5%) and 100% positive predictive value. FCA resulted in sensitivity of 82.9% (95% CI: 69.2, 92.4%) and specificity of 100% (95% CI: 29.2%, 100.0%). When surveyed, 100% of FPs were confident performing POCUS and reported POCUS had an overall positive impact on clinical practice. 75% agreed the use of POCUS decreased the need for urgent radiologist-interpreted US. Conclusion: Following a certification process modeled after the CEUS EDE curriculum, FPs used POCUS for both CEUS-defined indications and indications that were unclear. FPs trained in early pregnancy POCUS demonstrated excellent diagnostic accuracy identifying IUP and FCA. Future study should assess the clinical impact of office-based POCUS, including whether its use results in decreased ED visits for this patient population.

Early pregnancy and pelvic ultrasound

2019 ◽  
pp. 107-116
Author(s):  
Ryan Henneberry ◽  
Chris Cox ◽  
Beatrice Hoffmann ◽  
Paul Atkinson
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Vaginal Bleeding ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Clinical Parameters ◽  
Intrauterine Pregnancy ◽  
First Trimester Pregnancy

Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) has an important role in the management of vaginal bleeding and/or abdominal pain in early pregnancy. When combined with other clinical parameters, PoCUS enables the treating physician to accurately confirm the presence of an early intrauterine pregnancy (IUP). This chapter provides a suggested algorithm for the use of bedside ultrasound and clinical findings to safely assess patients with first-trimester pregnancy pain or bleeding and rule out an ectopic pregnancy. Both trans-abdominal and trans-vaginal approaches are described in detail.

scholarly journals P138: The Family Medicine Obstetrical Ultrasound (FaMOUS) course: a model for training office-based family physicians in first trimester point of care ultrasound

CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S124-S124
Author(s):  
C. Varner ◽  
E. Bearss ◽  
S. Hu ◽  
S.L. McLeod ◽  
S. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Cardiac Activity ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Certification Process ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Ed Visits

Introduction / Innovation Concept: In Canada, family physicians (FPs) provide the majority of 1st trimester pregnancy care and are often first to evaluate complications, including threatened and spontaneous abortion and ectopic pregnancy. To receive a same day urgent US, most patients will be sent to the emergency department (ED). With increasing availability and affordability of point of care ultrasound (PoCUS), FPs are starting to use US in their offices, potentially diverting some ED visits for patients with reassuring US findings. To date, no formal certification process exists for FPs who wish to use PoCUS for 1st trimester indications. Methods: The objective of this educational initiative was to implement and evaluate a novel, 2-day didactic and hands-on certification process for FPs utilizing office-based PoCUS to identify intrauterine pregnancy and fetal cardiac activity. The FaMOUS course was modeled after the Canadian Emergency Ultrasound Society Emergency Department Echo (CEUS EDE) curriculum and adapted with permission for FPs. Curriculum, Tool, or Material: The curriculum consisted of a deliberate practice mastery model utilizing on-line materials, seminars and hands-on training. Prior to the 2-day course, FPs completed an e-learning module comprised of core competency material specific to obstetrical practice. Learners were required to score 100% on a post-module exam to participate in the 2-day course. Attendees participated in a 4-hour training session to learn US image generation and interpretation. This was followed by 10 hours of hands-on training with CEUS instructor supervision to complete the certification process (50 determinate scans). Thirteen FPs from 3 family practice units successfully completed the certification process. Cumulative knowledge and skill levels were assessed throughout the 2-day workshop through feedback from CEUS supervisors to confirm key concepts were learned. All 13 participants agreed to utilize PoCUS in their clinical assessments of patients with 1st trimester complaints using handheld PoCUS equipment provided to the sites. FPs will be surveyed at 3 month intervals for 12 months following the FaMOUS course to assess provider confidence, satisfaction and perceived impact on clinical decision-making. Conclusion: The FaMOUS certification course is a standardized curriculum by which FPs can learn PoCUS safely to improve quality and timeliness of care for patients experiencing 1st trimester complaints. If PoCUS is adopted by FPs, lengthy ED visits may be decreased for this patient population.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Acute Abdominal Pain

2019 ◽  
pp. 383-401
Author(s):  
Francesca Cortellaro ◽  
Cristiano Perani ◽  
Linda Guarnieri ◽  
Laura Ferrari ◽  
Michela Cazzaniga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Acute Abdominal Pain ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound

Usefulness of point-of-care ultrasound in military medical emergencies performed by young military medicine residents

2019 ◽  
pp. jramc-2018-001132
Author(s):  
Pierre Perrier ◽  
J Leyral ◽  
O Thabouillot ◽  
D Papeix ◽  
G Comat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Clinical Examination ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Military Medicine ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
Absolute Difference ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Medical Emergencies ◽  
The Mean ◽  
A Prospective Study

IntroductionTo evaluate the usefulness of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) performed by young military medicine residents after short training in the diagnosis of medical emergencies.MethodsA prospective study was performed in the emergency department of a French army teaching hospital. Two young military medicine residents received ultrasound training focused on gall bladder, kidneys and lower limb veins. After clinical examination, they assigned a ‘clinicaldiagnostic probability’ (CP) on a visual analogue scale from 0 (definitely not diagnosis) to 10 (definitive diagnosis). The same student performed ultrasound examination and assigned an ‘ultrasounddiagnostic probability’ (UP) in the same way. The absolute difference between CP and UP was calculated. This result corresponded to the Ultrasound Diagnostic Index (UDI), which was positive if UP was closer to the final diagnosis than CP (POCUS improved the diagnostic accuracy), and negative conversely (POCUS decreased the diagnostic accuracy).ResultsForty-eight patients were included and 48 ultrasound examinations were performed. The present pathologies were found in 14 patients (29%). The mean UDI value was +3 (0–5). UDI was positive in 35 exams (73%), zero in 12 exams (25%) and negative in only one exam (2%).ConclusionPOCUS performed after clinical examination increases the diagnostic accuracy of young military medicine residents.

scholarly journals Female with Vaginal Bleeding

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 636-637
Author(s):  
Mark Quilon ◽  
Alec Glucksman ◽  
Gregory Emmanuel ◽  
Josh Greenstein ◽  
Barry Hahn
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Emergency Physician ◽  
Vaginal Bleeding ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Yolk Sac ◽  
Pregnant Female ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Fetal Demise ◽  
Case Presentation

Case Presentation: A 24-year-old pregnant female presented to the emergency department with lower abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. A point-of-care ultrasound demonstrated a calcified yolk sac. Discussion: When identified, calcification of the yolk sac in the first trimester is a sign of fetal demise. It is important for an emergency physician to be aware of the various signs and findings on point-of-care ultrasound and be familiar with the management of these pathologies.

Diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care knee ultrasound for evaluation of meniscus and collateral ligaments pathology in comparison with MRI

2021 ◽  
pp. 028418512110582
Author(s):  
Ahmed Elshimy ◽  
Ahmed M Osman ◽  
Mohamed El Sayed Awad ◽  
Mohamed M Abdel Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Operative Procedure ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Collateral Ligaments ◽  
Collateral Ligament ◽  
Diagnostic Modality ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Portable Ultrasonography

Background Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often the “gold standard” for diagnosing knee problems, it has many limitations. Therefore, ultrasonography has been suggested as an effective rapid alternative in many knee abnormalities, especially after injuries of the meniscus and collateral ligaments. Purpose To determine the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in detecting injuries of the meniscus and collateral ligament compared to MRI. Material and Methods An observational cross-sectional blinded study was conducted of 60 patients with clinically suspicious meniscus and collateral ligament injuries who were planned for an arthroscopy and or operative procedure. These patients underwent both blinded POCUS and MRI of the knees before the intervention procedure and results of both imaging modalities were compared according to the operative and arthroscopic findings. Results The preoperative reliability of POCUS compared to MRI for the assessment of meniscus injuries was sensitivity (92.9% vs. 90.5%), specificity (88.9% vs. 83.3%), positive predictive value (PPV; 95.1% vs. 92.7%), negative predictive value (NPV; 84.2% vs. 79%), and overall accuracy (91.7% vs. 88.3%). However, for diagnosing collateral ligament injures, POCUS versus MRI assessed sensitivity (92.3% vs. 88.5%), specificity (100% vs. 97.1%), PPV (100% vs. 95.8%), NPV (94.4% vs. 91.7%), and overall accuracy (96.7% vs. 93.3%). Conclusion Ultrasonography is a useful screening tool for the initial diagnosis of meniscal and collateral ligament pathology compared to or even with potential advantages over MRI, especially when MRI is unavailable or contraindicated. As newly advanced portable ultrasonography becomes available, it could be considered as a point-of-injury diagnostic modality.

Paediatric ultrasound

2019 ◽  
pp. 217-224
Author(s):  
Jason Fischer ◽  
Lianne McLean
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Pyloric Stenosis ◽  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Lung Pathology ◽  
Skull Fractures ◽  
Body Habitus

This chapter highlights the increasing use of point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) in children. The size and body habitus of infants and children are often ideal for sonographic visualization and make PoCUS an ideal imaging modality for paediatric patients. PoCUS applications that have been traditionally used for adult patients are increasingly being adopted for the care of children. Paediatric-specific applications are also being developed for problems common and unique to paediatrics. Focused abdominal scans for appendicitis, intussusception, and pyloric stenosis are now frequently used in patients presenting with abdominal pain or vomiting. PoCUS can differentiate lung pathology and is helpful in the assessment of suspected skull fractures in non-verbal infants. Ongoing integration of PoCUS into shock, trauma, and triage algorithms support its increasing role in paediatric emergency and critical care.

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