title: [Point-of-care ultrasound in Spanish paediatric intensive care units].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Point-of-care (bedside) ultrasound is being increasingly used by paediatricians who treat critically ill children. The aim of this study is to describe its availability, use, and specific training in Paediatric Intensive Care Units in Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive, cross-sectional, multicentre study was performed using an online survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of a total of 51 PICUs identified in our country, 64.7% responded to the survey. Just over half (53.1%) have their own ultrasound machine, 25% share it, with other units with the usual location in the PICU, and 21.9% share it, but it is usually located outside the PICU. Ultrasound machine availability was not related to size, care complexity, or number PICU admissions. The ultrasound was used daily in 35% of the units, and was associated with location of the machine in the PICU (P=.026), the existence of a transplant program (P=.009), availability of ECMO (P=.006), and number of admissions (P=.015). 45.5% of PICUs has less than 50% of the medical staff specifically trained in bedside ultrasound, and 18.2% have all their medical staff trained. The presence of more than 50% of medical staff trained was associated with a higher rate of daily use (P=.033), and with specific use to evaluate cardiac function (P=.033), intravascular volume estimation (P=.004), or the presence of intra-abdominal collections (P=.021).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bedside ultrasound is frequently available in Spanish PICUs. Specific training is still variable, but it should serve to enhance its implementation.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España; Instituto de investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, RETICS financiada por el PN I+D+I 2008-2011, ISCIII - Subdirección General de Evaluación y Fomento de la Investigación y el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), ref. RD12/0026; Red de Salud Materno Infantil y Desarrollo, Madrid, España. Electronic address: rafa_gonzalez_cortes@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: González Cortés
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, Hospital Universitario Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Renter Valdovinos
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coca Pérez
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Vázquez Martínez
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D013030:Spain; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Children; Cuidados intensivos; Ecografía; Educación; Intensive care; Niños; Training; Ultrasound