A Shifting Paradigm: The Role of Focused Cardiac Ultrasound in Bedside Patient Assessment.
Publication/Presentation Date
11-1-2020
Abstract
Transthoracic echocardiography is the standard of care in anatomic and functional cardiovascular assessment; however, focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) performed with portable ultrasound equipment is increasingly being used as an adjunct to comprehensive history and physical examination. FoCUS assessments, unlike formal echocardiography, are intended to assist physicians in answering explicit clinical questions with a narrow differential diagnosis in real time. Over the past decade, a growing body of literature has repeatedly shown the value that FoCUS adds to clinical evaluation. Specifically, FoCUS improves point-of-care diagnostic accuracy, which in turn modifies treatment plans, decreases time to diagnosis, and reduces resource utilization. Although less robust, there is also evidence showing improvement in clinical outcomes. Based on this evidence, clinicians, training programs, and clinical societies have embraced FoCUS as a tool to complement bedside patient evaluation. Herein, we review the evidence for FoCUS in clinical practice, specifically evaluating the diagnostic accuracy, the impact on clinical decision-making, and the effect on clinical outcomes.
Volume
158
Issue
5
First Page
2107
Last Page
2118
ISSN
1931-3543
Published In/Presented At
Marbach, J. A., Almufleh, A., Di Santo, P., Simard, T., Jung, R., Diemer, G., West, F. M., Millington, S. J., Mathew, R., Le May, M. R., & Hibbert, B. (2020). A Shifting Paradigm: The Role of Focused Cardiac Ultrasound in Bedside Patient Assessment. Chest, 158(5), 2107–2118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2020.07.021
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
32707179
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article