A descriptive study of the use of cardiac point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) in public emergency centres in Cape Town
Introduction: The indications for cardiac point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) vary somewhat in different parts of the world, and training programs may also differ. We set out to describe the self-reported cardiac PoCUS indications and imaging windows used at a selection of secondary-level, public hospi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2020-12-01
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| Series: | African Journal of Emergency Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211419X20300835 |
| _version_ | 1818932472677662720 |
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| author | Ushira Ganas Jacques J. Malan Stevan R. Bruijns |
| author_facet | Ushira Ganas Jacques J. Malan Stevan R. Bruijns |
| author_sort | Ushira Ganas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: The indications for cardiac point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) vary somewhat in different parts of the world, and training programs may also differ. We set out to describe the self-reported cardiac PoCUS indications and imaging windows used at a selection of secondary-level, public hospital emergency centres in Cape Town. Methods: A descriptive study with prospective data collected from emergency centres of Mitchells Plain District, Victoria and New Somerset Hospitals in Cape Town were used. Data were collected over a three-month period by providers who have completed a basic emergency ultrasound course, using a purpose-designed data collection tool for all cardiac PoCUS scans. Results: Fifteen PoCUS providers recorded 267 data entries over the three-month study period; there were 17 exclusions, leaving 250 entries for analysis. The most common indication for performing cardiac PoCUS was electrocardiogram abnormalities, 27% (n = 112); dyspnoea, 25% (n = 102); chest pain, 16% (n = 65); cardiomegaly on chest x-ray, 12% (n = 51); new murmur, 6% (n = 23); and chest trauma, 5% (n = 22). Other indications made up the remaining 10% (n = 40). Parasternal long and short axis were the predominantly used views. Conclusion: Cardiac PoCUS is used for a wide range of indications beyond the recommended training guidelines. Some indications may be more useful in low- to middle-income settings. Further research needs to be done to ascertain the extent of the use of cardiac PoCUS, and possibly the need for a more comprehensive training program with adequate training in these clinical conditions, to ensure safe practice. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T04:33:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-13496e524eda4e8fb1093cf4b76971c5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2211-419X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T04:33:02Z |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | African Journal of Emergency Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-13496e524eda4e8fb1093cf4b76971c52022-12-21T19:53:20ZengElsevierAfrican Journal of Emergency Medicine2211-419X2020-12-01104239242A descriptive study of the use of cardiac point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) in public emergency centres in Cape TownUshira Ganas0Jacques J. Malan1Stevan R. Bruijns2Corresponding author.; Divsion of Emergency Medicine 5th Floor The Green Building, Belville Health Park Corner of Francie van Zyl and Frans Conradie Drive Belville, 7535 Cape Town, South AfricaDivsion of Emergency Medicine 5th Floor The Green Building, Belville Health Park Corner of Francie van Zyl and Frans Conradie Drive Belville, 7535 Cape Town, South AfricaDivsion of Emergency Medicine 5th Floor The Green Building, Belville Health Park Corner of Francie van Zyl and Frans Conradie Drive Belville, 7535 Cape Town, South AfricaIntroduction: The indications for cardiac point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) vary somewhat in different parts of the world, and training programs may also differ. We set out to describe the self-reported cardiac PoCUS indications and imaging windows used at a selection of secondary-level, public hospital emergency centres in Cape Town. Methods: A descriptive study with prospective data collected from emergency centres of Mitchells Plain District, Victoria and New Somerset Hospitals in Cape Town were used. Data were collected over a three-month period by providers who have completed a basic emergency ultrasound course, using a purpose-designed data collection tool for all cardiac PoCUS scans. Results: Fifteen PoCUS providers recorded 267 data entries over the three-month study period; there were 17 exclusions, leaving 250 entries for analysis. The most common indication for performing cardiac PoCUS was electrocardiogram abnormalities, 27% (n = 112); dyspnoea, 25% (n = 102); chest pain, 16% (n = 65); cardiomegaly on chest x-ray, 12% (n = 51); new murmur, 6% (n = 23); and chest trauma, 5% (n = 22). Other indications made up the remaining 10% (n = 40). Parasternal long and short axis were the predominantly used views. Conclusion: Cardiac PoCUS is used for a wide range of indications beyond the recommended training guidelines. Some indications may be more useful in low- to middle-income settings. Further research needs to be done to ascertain the extent of the use of cardiac PoCUS, and possibly the need for a more comprehensive training program with adequate training in these clinical conditions, to ensure safe practice.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211419X20300835Bedside ultrasoundCardiac PoCUSLow-middle income settingsEmergency centre ultrasound |
| spellingShingle | Ushira Ganas Jacques J. Malan Stevan R. Bruijns A descriptive study of the use of cardiac point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) in public emergency centres in Cape Town African Journal of Emergency Medicine Bedside ultrasound Cardiac PoCUS Low-middle income settings Emergency centre ultrasound |
| title | A descriptive study of the use of cardiac point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) in public emergency centres in Cape Town |
| title_full | A descriptive study of the use of cardiac point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) in public emergency centres in Cape Town |
| title_fullStr | A descriptive study of the use of cardiac point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) in public emergency centres in Cape Town |
| title_full_unstemmed | A descriptive study of the use of cardiac point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) in public emergency centres in Cape Town |
| title_short | A descriptive study of the use of cardiac point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) in public emergency centres in Cape Town |
| title_sort | descriptive study of the use of cardiac point of care ultrasound pocus in public emergency centres in cape town |
| topic | Bedside ultrasound Cardiac PoCUS Low-middle income settings Emergency centre ultrasound |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211419X20300835 |
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