SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Impact of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (Pocus) on the Management of Hospitalized Pediatric Patients

Pdf Summary

This retrospective case series evaluated the impact of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) on hospitalized pediatric patients at a 150-bed quaternary children’s hospital from February 2018 to July 2024. The authors note that while POCUS is well supported in many clinical settings, it has not been widely adopted in pediatrics, and many residency programs provide minimal training.<br /><br />The study included 66 patients, with a median age of 5.5 years, and 76 POCUS exams in which ultrasound changed management or guided a procedure. Of these, 31 were diagnostic exams performed on 29 patients, and 45 were procedural exams performed on 37 patients, including 8 repeat procedures.<br /><br />For diagnostic POCUS, the most common management change was a change in the primary diagnosis, occurring in 13 of 31 exams (42%). A highlighted case involved a 12-year-old girl initially evaluated for possible cholecystitis; POCUS instead revealed severe cardiomegaly and markedly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (about 20%), leading to a major diagnostic revision, involvement of subspecialists, initiation of inotropes and diuretics, and escalation of care to the ICU.<br /><br />For procedural POCUS, exams were categorized as helping facilitate, salvage, or avoid procedures. An example described a febrile neonate referred for ultrasound-guided lumbar puncture after multiple failed attempts; POCUS identified an epidural hematoma, preventing further attempts.<br /><br />Overall, the case series demonstrates that POCUS can meaningfully alter diagnosis, guide procedures, and improve management in hospitalized children. The authors conclude that these findings support broader adoption of POCUS in general pediatrics and greater integration into pediatric training programs.

Asset Subtitle

Erin M. Finn

Meta Tag

Author List Daniel Park, Eric Zwemer, Erin M. Finn, Jessica L. Guidici, John R. Stephens, Jonathon Heath, Margaret Fennell, Ria Dancel, Robert A. Campbell, William Kwan Jr.

Category Research

Concept Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Concept Procedural POCUS

Concept Pediatric Patient

Concept Diagnosis

Concept Management

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of North Carolina

Presenting Author Erin M. Finn

Track Pediatric

Keywords

point-of-care ultrasound

POCUS

pediatric patients

hospitalized children

retrospective case series

diagnostic ultrasound

procedural ultrasound

management change

pediatric training

quaternary children’s hospital

Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Procedural POCUS

Pediatric Patient

Diagnosis

Management