PM-POCUS in Palliative OPDs: Bridging Home-Based Assessment and Hospital Expertise for Malignant Pleural Effusion Management in Advanced Cancer

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) causes significant morbidity in advanced cancer, yet traditional management often delays care for bedbound patients. This case demonstrates how integrated home-based palliative care and hospital-based Palliative Medicine Point-of-Care Ultrasound (PM-POCUS) enabled rapid diagnosis and intervention. A 44-year-old female with metastatic breast cancer developed severe dyspnoea (ESAS-R 10/10) due to MPE. Home care teams identified the emergency, while PM-POCUS in a palliative outpatient department (OPD) guided thoracentesis despite extensive chest wall lesions. PM-POCUS bridges home and hospital care, offering timely symptom relief while avoiding hospitalisations. This model highlights the need for portable diagnostics in palliative training programs.