title: Does point-of-care ultrasonography cause discomfort in patients admitted with respiratory symptoms?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to assess the patient-rated level of discomfort during point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) of the heart, lungs and deep veins in a population of patients admitted to an ED with respiratory symptoms and to what extent the patients would accept being assessed by the use of POCUS if they had to be examined for possible disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire-based observational study was conducted in an ED. Inclusion criteria were one or more of the following: respiratory rate > 20/min, oxygen saturation < 95 %, oxygen therapy initiated, dyspnoea, cough or chest pain. Patients were examined by the use of POCUS of the heart, lungs and deep veins. Patient-rated level of discomfort and acceptance were assessed using a standardised questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median duration of the sonographic examinations was 12 min (IQR 11-13, range 9-23). The median patient-rated level of discomfort for all three types of POCUS was 1 (IQR 1-1, range 1-8) on a scale from 1 to 10. All but one patient (99.6 % (95 % CI: 98.9-100 %)), would accept being examined by the use of POCUS as a part of routine ED diagnostics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The patient-rated level of discomfort during POCUS of the heart, lungs and deep veins is very low and the vast majority of patients would accept being assessed by the use of POCUS if the patients once again had to be examined for possible disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense C, Denmark. Christian.b.laursen@rsyd.dk.|Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. Christian.b.laursen@rsyd.dk.
authors.forename: Christian B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Laursen
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark. sloth@dadlnet.dk.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sloth
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark. Annmarie.lassen@rsyd.dk.
authors.forename: Annmarie Touborg
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Lassen
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense C, Denmark. jesper.roemhild.davidsen@rsyd.dk.
authors.forename: Jesper Rømhild
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Davidsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Svendborg, Denmark. jess.lambrechtsen@rsyd.dk.
authors.forename: Jess
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lambrechtsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark. Daniel.henriksen@rsyd.dk.
authors.forename: Daniel Pilsgaard
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Henriksen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Littlebelt Hospital, Vejle, Denmark. phmadsen@dadlnet.dk.
authors.forename: Poul Henning
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Madsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Near East University Hospital, Mersin 10, Nicosia North Cyprus, Turkey. finn.rasmussen@dadlnet.dk.
authors.forename: Finn
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult