title: Ultrasonography in the emergency department.
abstract: Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is a useful imaging technique for the emergency medicine (EM) physician. Because of its growing use in EM, this article will summarize the historical development, the scope of practice, and some evidence supporting the current applications of POCUS in the adult emergency department. Bedside ultrasonography in the emergency department shares clinical applications with critical care ultrasonography, including goal-directed echocardiography, echocardiography during cardiac arrest, thoracic ultrasonography, evaluation for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, screening abdominal ultrasonography, ultrasonography in trauma, and guidance of procedures with ultrasonography. Some applications of POCUS unique to the emergency department include abdominal ultrasonography of the right upper quadrant and appendix, obstetric, testicular, soft tissue/musculoskeletal, and ocular ultrasonography. Ultrasonography has become an integral part of EM over the past two decades, and it is an important skill which positively influences patient outcomes.
authors: Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, 270-05 76th Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY, 11040, USA. micahwhitson64@gmail.com.
authors: Micah R
authors: MR
authors: Whitson
authors: Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, 270-05 76th Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY, 11040, USA.
authors: Paul H
authors: PH
authors: Mayo
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis; D055424:Cardiac-Gated Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000379:methods; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000266:history / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems / Q000592:standards*; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards
keywords: Critical care; Emergency medicine; Ultrasound