THE UTILITY OF POCUS IN INTENSIVE CARE AND BEYOND

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a bedside imaging performed and interpreted by clinicians. It has revolutionized intensive care by enabling rapid and accurate assessment. Immediate identification of various pathologies helps in timely decision-making. Performing procedures under ultrasound guidance ensures the safety of interventions. This article incorporates evidence to discuss the strengths and limitations of POCUS in comparison with other imaging modalities. Areas under discussion include the utility of POCUS in evaluating pulmonary, cardiac, abdominal, and intracranial pathologies. Moreover, its utility in patients with deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and hemodynamic compromise is also discussed. Furthermore, outcomes of POCUS-guided procedures are compared to outcomes of procedures performed using anatomical references alone. POCUS enables timely diagnosis and interventions, thereby, enhancing the efficiency of critical care provision.