THE IMPACT OF POINT-OF-CARE ULTRASOUND (POCUS) ON RAPID DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
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Keywords
POCUS, Emergency Department, Critical Care, Ultrasound, Rapid Diagnosis, Patient Management
Abstract
In emergency departments (EDs), the rapid and accurate diagnosis of critically ill patients is essential for improving outcomes. Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) has become a valuable tool in emergency medicine for facilitating quick diagnoses. This study aimed to assess the impact of POCUS on diagnostic accuracy, length of stay, and patient outcomes in critically ill patients across multiple hospitals in Saudi Arabia. A prospective observational study was conducted with 200 patients, divided into two groups: those who received POCUS as part of their initial evaluation and those who did not. The study found that patients who received POCUS had significantly higher diagnostic accuracy (χ² = 15.48, p = 0.0004), with 90 accurate diagnoses compared to 40 in the non-POCUS group. Additionally, the POCUS group experienced significantly shorter lengths of stay (t = -10.52, U = 1272.5, p < 0.0001) and better survival rates (χ² = 15.63, p = 0.0001), with only 5 deaths compared to 19 in the non-POCUS group. These results suggest that POCUS significantly improves diagnostic accuracy, reduces length of stay, and enhances survival outcomes, supporting its routine use in emergency care settings.
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Khaled Al-Assiri
Al-Batterjee Medical College
Maryam Alotaibi
King saud medical city
Abdullah bin Abd
Al-Ahsa health cluster
Murtadha Bin Abd
Al-Ahsa health cluster
Saud ALsharaef
Batterjee medical college
Bandar Alassiri
Batterjee medical college
Muhannad Alharbi
Batterjee medical college
Omar Alharthi
Asir Health Cluster
FAHAD ALFAIFI
Saudi Red Crescent
Mohammed Aldosri
Riyadh
Masoud Al-Qahtani
Saudi Red Crescent Authority
Ahmed Alshahri
Saudi Red Crescent Authority
IBRAHIM ALOTAIB
Saudi Red Crescent Authority
SULTAN ALOTAIBI
Saudi Red Crescent Authority
HAMAD ALKAHTANI
Saudi Red Crescent Authority
Bakor Almaimani
King Abdulaziz medical city
Rayan Yamani
King Abdulaziz medical city
Raghad Kurdi
King Fahad General hospital jeddah
Rawiah Humaiyan
King Fahad General hospital jeddah
Abdulmajeed Asiri
Armed forces hospital 12AA0040215