Australasian journal of ultrasound in medicine
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This is an opinion piece on the role of POCUS in COVID-19, with a focus on lung ultrasound. It is not an instructional essay. Crisis management in medicine has often been likened to crisis management in the aviation industry. ⋯ The COVID-19 pandemic has changed this, clinicians are now faced with the need to make urgent decisions whilst exposed to some personal risk. Whether to embrace POCUS and lung ultrasound during this pandemic is an important decision. Whilst there are clear advantages, poorly considered overzealous uptake it is not without hazard, opportunity cost and potential risk to patient and clinician.
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Australas J Ultrasound Med · May 2020
COVID-US: A simplified approach to cardiopulmonary ultrasound in suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients in surge crisis.
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed an unprecedented challenge on healthcare systems across the globe. Rapid assessment of the cardiorespiratory function to monitor disease progression and guide treatment is essential. Therefore, we have designed the COVID-US: a simplified cardiopulmonary ultrasound approach to use in suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients, to aid front-line health workers in their decision-making in a surge crisis.