title: Merging ultrasound in the intensive care routine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Goal-oriented ultrasound examination is gaining a place in the intensive care unit. Some protocols have been proposed but the applicability of ultrasound as part of a routine has not been studied.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the influence of ultrasound performed by intensive care physicians.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective descriptive clinical study was performed in a medical-surgical intensive care unit of a university-affiliated general hospital. Data were collected from patients undergoing ultrasound examinations performed by a critical care physician during the period 2010 to June 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 299 ultrasound exams were performed in 113 mechanically ventilated patients (70 males, mean age 65 years). Exams included trans-cranial Doppler (n = 24), neck evaluation before tracheostomy (n = 15), chest exam (n = 83), focuse cardiac echocardiography (n = 60), abdominal exam (n = 41), and comprehensive screening at patient admission (n = 30). Ultrasound was used to guide invasive procedures for vascular catheter insertion (n = 42), pleural fluid drainage (n = 24), and peritoneal fluid drainage (n = 7). One pneumothorax was seen during central venous line insertion but no complications were observed after pleural or abdominal drainage. The ultrasound study provided good quality visualization in 86% (258 of 299 exams) and was a diagnostic tool that induced a change in treatment in 58% (132 of 226 exams).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bedside ultrasound examinations performed by critical care physicians provide an important adjunct to diagnostic and therapeutic performance, improving quality of care and patient safety.
authors: Intensive Care Unit, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, affiliated with Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. djak@barzi.health.gov.il
authors: Daniel J
authors: DJ
authors: Jakobson
authors: Intensive Care Unit, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, affiliated with Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
authors: Iftach
authors: I
authors: Shemesh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult