Use of Emergency Ultrasound in Arizona Community Emergency Departments.
OBJECTIVE
Despite the increased educational exposure to point-of-care ultrasound (US) at all levels of medical training, there are utilization gaps between academic and nonacademic emergency department (ED) settings. The purpose of this study was to assess the current practices and potential barriers to the use of point-of-care US in nonacademic EDs throughout the state of Arizona.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study. An online questionnaire was electronically sent to all nonacademic EDs in Arizona. The survey consisted of questions regarding demographics, current practice patterns, policies, interdepartmental agreements, and perceptions regarding the use of point-of-care US.


RESULTS
Seventy nonacademic EDs were identified for inclusion in our study, and 58 EDs completed the survey, which represented an 83% response rate. Seventy-eight percent (95% confidence interval [CI], 67%-89%) perform or interpret point-of-care US examinations for patient care. The 3 most common applications of point-of-care US reported by respondents were focused assessment with sonography for trauma, cardiac US examinations, and line placement, and 36% (95% CI, 22%-50%) bill for point-of-care US examinations. At 75% (95% CI, 62%-88%) of EDs, no one is specifically responsible for reviewing point-of-care US examinations for quality assurance, and at 50% (95% CI, 35%-65%), no mechanism exists to archive images. Eighty-three percent (95% CI, 72%-94%) of EDs think that their groups will benefit from the American College of Emergency Physicians Clinical Ultrasound Accreditation Program.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasound equipment is available in nearly all nonacademic EDs in Arizona. However, it appears that most providers lack US training, credentialing, quality assurance, and reimbursement mechanisms.
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
Richard
R
Amini
University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
Michael T
MT
Wyman
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
Nicholas C
NC
Hernandez
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
John A
JA
Guisto
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
Srikar
S
Adhikari
D001130:Arizona; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
clinical ultrasound; emergency ultrasound; point-of care ultrasound; ultrasound education