Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS): No HOCUS Among Anesthesiologists

Andrea Camila Marcano-Rodriguez, Natalie Andrade Brin, Muhamed Muntaser Jaber, Grace Victoria Faberlle, Ryan Singh Faculty Mentor: Dr. Donna Lee Ettel-Gambino (Judy Genshaft Honors College) An anesthesiologist’s ability to recognize the intrinsic utility of Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) as a diagnostic tool may improve patient safety, decrease anesthesia time, and maximize patient outcomes.1 Evidence suggests that POCUS is a safe, inexpensive, non-invasive, portable, and easily accessible perioperative tool. The purpose of study was to identify the anesthesiologists’ systems and processes for clinical decision-making utilizing POCUS for patients during the perioperative phases of care. A MANOVA was conducted to identify differences across groups. The independent variable was the type of POCUS scan performed [GU, Cardio, Gastric, Pulmonary]. The dependent variables were the anesthesiologists’ processes for clinical decision-making: 1) Perioperative status of patient; 2) Formulation of clinical question; 3) Ability of scan to answer the clinical question; 4) Changes to plan of care; and 5) Intervention required. There were statistically significant findings (Wilks’ Λ = 0.30 (30, 26) F=1.98) between scan type and clinical decision-making (p<0.0001). One-way ANOVA contrasts identified one statistically significant difference: patients (64%) who received scans during the preoperative phase of care. Differences by scan type showed that patients in this stage were more likely to undergo a GI scan (100%) than Pulmonary (66%), Cardiac (45%) or GU (0%) scans (p<0.05). POCUS provided an additional layer of protection for patients during the preoperative phases of care, especially for patients with gastric etiologies. Evidence supports POCUS is easy, portable, sensitive, and specific for identifying various anatomical landmarks. POCUS examinations during the perioperative phases of care facilitate patient monitoring, along interventions to improve patient outcomes.