Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) – An innovative diagnostic tool in emergency and prehospital medicine

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Introduction and Objective.Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is a diagnostic technique that allows the rapid assessment of patients in prehospital settings.The main advantage is that it can be used in locations without standard ultrasound devices, such as ambulances, medical rescue helicopters, or accident sites.The aim of the review is to summarize the current evidence on the role and benefits of POCUS in prehospital and emergency medicine.Review Methods.A narrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed database with the key words 'POCUS', 'ultrasound' and 'prehospital'.A total of 64 articles (January -March 2024) were identified, of which 26 met the inclusion criteria.Brief description of the state of knowledge.When used correctly, POCUS reduces the time to surgical intervention, aids in selecting the most appropriate healthcare facility, and improves triage efficiency.Its short examination time helps reduce complications and mortality rates, which is especially important for trauma patients.Studies show that POCUS reduces hospital costs, primarily by decreasing the length of patient hospitalization.It demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing conditions such as pulmonary and cardiovascular abnormalities, as well as deep vein thrombosis.This makes it a valuable tool in time-sensitive situations with limited access to advanced diagnostics.POCUS has recently gained attention for its utility in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).When performed properly, it does not disrupt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and can even enhance the resuscitation effectiveness.Summary.POCUS is a rapid, cost-effective, and efficient tool that benefits patients, healthcare institutions, and the broader healthcare system.

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