Use of Bedside Ultrasonography in Hospitalized Patients

Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is an emerging and developing skill that hospitalist providers are increasingly using to improve patient care. Common applications include cardiac, pulmonary, and abdominal diagnostic evaluation at the bedside and procedural guidance. Emerging applications include the use of POCUS in triaging patients to appropriate levels of care and prompt diagnostic evaluation in rapid response and cardiac arrest scenarios. Formal ultrasonography accreditation, reimbursement, and education for hospitalist providers are topics that require further evolution in the development of bedside ultrasonography use in hospital medicine.