426258

Exploring Novel Applications of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in the Evaluation of Non-Traumatic Emergencies: Implications for Clinical Decision-Making

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Last updated: 11 May 2025

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Abstract

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is also an equally game-changing technology in emergency medicine that offers direct diagnostic potential to maximize clinical decision-making, particularly in non-trauma emergencies. This review brings forward the expanding role of POCUS in prehospital and emergency health care settings in terms of its effectiveness in hypotension states of undifferentiated conditions, respiratory distress, and cardiac arrest. Implementation of POCUS in emergency medical services (EMS) has been driven by the development of portable technology, enabling real-time assessment that guides triage, treatment, and resource allocation. However, adoption is hampered by issues like variability in provider education, absence of established competency models, and logistical challenges like device cost and environmental considerations. Current evidence suggests that simulation-based, structured training programs can equip EMS practitioners, ranging from paramedics to physicians, with competency in focused protocols like the Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (eFAST), Rapid Ultrasound in Shock (RUSH), and Bedside Lung Ultrasound in Emergency (BLUE). Despite promising outcomes, such as reduced diagnostic uncertainty and patient satisfaction, gaps persist in quality assurance measures and long-term retention of skills. This review underscores the need for context-dependent implementation strategies, robust educational curricula, and interprofessional collaboration to bridge practice gaps and optimize POCUS utilization. Further research is necessary to establish its impact on patient outcomes and create evidence-based guidelines for prehospital deployment. As POCUS continues to grow, finding the balance between innovation and standardized training, and equitable resource distribution will be the key to unleashing its full potential in diverse EMS systems.

DOI

10.21608/jmals.2024.426258

Keywords

Prehospital Emergency Care, point-of-care ultrasound, Ultrasound Training, Clinical decision-making, Non-Traumatic Emergencies

Authors

First Name

Ahmed

Last Name

Al-Zahrani

MiddleName

Saleh

Affiliation

Ministry of Defense, Saudi Arabia

Email

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City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Abdullah

Last Name

Al-Ghamdi

MiddleName

Saeed

Affiliation

Ministry of Defense, Saudi Arabia

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Faisal

Last Name

Al-Ahmari

MiddleName

Omair

Affiliation

Ministry of Defense, Saudi Arabia

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Hamed

Last Name

Alhowaiti

MiddleName

Slamah Hmmad

Affiliation

Ministry of Defense, Saudi Arabia

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Abdullah

Last Name

Alshehri

MiddleName

Ali Abdullah

Affiliation

Ministry of Defense, Saudi Arabia

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Hassan

Last Name

Alshehri

MiddleName

Ali

Affiliation

Ministry of Defense, Saudi Arabia

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Mohammed

Last Name

Shaman

MiddleName

Ahmad Suwailem

Affiliation

Ministry of Defense, Saudi Arabia

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

ALI

Last Name

ALQARNI

MiddleName

RAFAA ZAFER

Affiliation

Ministry of Defense, Saudi Arabia

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Rashed

Last Name

Alhowaiti

MiddleName

Saad Hammad

Affiliation

Ministry of Defense, Saudi Arabia

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Abdulkarim

Last Name

Alanazi

MiddleName

Hameed

Affiliation

Ministry of Defense, Saudi Arabia

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

HASSAN

Last Name

ALSHAHRANI

MiddleName

HAMAD HASSAN

Affiliation

Ministry of Defense, Saudi Arabia

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Majed

Last Name

Bedaiwi

MiddleName

Abdulaziz

Affiliation

Ministry of Defense, Saudi Arabia

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

Volume

6

Article Issue

4

Related Issue

52782

Issue Date

2024-12-01

Receive Date

2024-09-20

Publish Date

2024-12-20

Page Start

725

Page End

732

Print ISSN

2636-4093

Online ISSN

2636-4107

Link

https://jmals.journals.ekb.eg/article_426258.html

Detail API

http://journals.ekb.eg?_action=service&article_code=426258

Order

426,258

Type

Original Article

Type Code

1,104

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Journal of Medical and Life Science

Publication Link

https://jmals.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Exploring Novel Applications of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in the Evaluation of Non-Traumatic Emergencies: Implications for Clinical Decision-Making

Details

Type

Article

Created At

11 May 2025