DR DEEPAK GOVIL tells you how point of care ultrasound acts as the key screening aid and is making a difference in the lives of doctors and patients
COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc and has now spread to every inhabited corner of our country. Its early detection in patients is a major concern and Ultrasound has proven to be a powerful imaging tool in assisting timely diagnosis and deciding the right care path for COVID-19 patients.
Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) acts as the key screening aid for the intensivists & E-Med physicians (who are majorly involved in saving lives during this crucial time) keeping in account its diagnostic accuracy, clinical utility and physical practicality in the indoor ICUs departments or covid wards.
POCUS serves as a valuable, radiation-free device in triaging COVID-19 patients and is very much needed in all critical care departments in today’s unprecedented scenario.
Being a non-invasive technology and easily mobile, ultrasound scanning can be quickly and repeatedly performed in real time at the patient’s bedside. Also compact ultrasound system can be single handedly managed by physician himself to perform numerous scans at the patient’s bedside in isolation ward as compared to X-ray or CT scan machine where more no. of technical staff & PPE kits are required to perform an exam and patient needs to be shifted to imaging area, and in this way chances of infection spread increases.
Many people, including us, use Sonosite M-Turbo ultrasound system and this compact point-of-care device is just perfect to assist for everything from doing central venous access to cardiac scan and from airway assessment to lung sonography. Routine use of these devices tremendously streamlines workflow, enhances efficiency, as well as improves patient’s safety and satisfaction. Also, this ultrasound scanner is easy to disinfect due to its spill-proof console which is much needed for controlling infection while dealing with COVID cases.
The writer is director, Critical Care & Anaesthesiology Dept, Medanta, The Medicity