Usefulness of Lung Ultrasound Examinations Performed by Primary Care Physicians in Patients With Suspected COVID-19.

Objectives: In patients with suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) consulting primary care (PC) centers, clinical criteria may not be sensitive enough to detect many cases in which complications first occur. We intended to assess whether lung ultrasound (LUS) examinations performed by PC physicians are a useful tool to detect lung injury and may help in decisions about hospital referral.

Methods: This study included 61 patients with moderate symptoms suggesting COVID-19 who were evaluated with LUS by PC physicians and then referred to a hospital during the current pandemic peak in Madrid.