Use of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) by intensive care paramedics to achieve peripheral intravenous access in patients predicted to be difficult: An out-of-hospital pilot study.

Introduction: Intravenous cannulation is a common procedure for paramedics. Difficulty is often encountered and may result in escalation of care to an intensive care paramedic (ICP). Ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous access (USGPIVA) is used in-hospital as an alternative approach.

Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound by Intensive Care Paramedics to Assess Respiratory Distress in the Out-of-Hospital Environment: A Pilot Study.

Background: Respiratory distress is a common presentation attended by paramedics. Chest auscultation has been shown to have low accuracy for diagnosing respiratory complaints, and this can lead to inaccurate patient assessment and potentially poor patient outcomes. Conversely, lung ultrasound is a relatively simple exam allowing for rapid differentiation of respiratory complaints with comparable accuracy to more advanced imaging modalities.

Can Non-Physician Providers Use Ultrasound to Aid in Establishing Peripheral IV Access in Patients Who are Difficult to Cannulate? A Scoping Review.

Introduction: Non-physician performed point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is emerging as a diagnostic adjunct with the potential to enhance current practice. The scope of POCUS utility is broad and well-established in-hospital, yet limited research has occurred in the out-of-hospital environment. Many physician-based studies expound the value of POCUS in the acute setting as a therapeutic and diagnostic tool.

Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound by Non-Physicians to Assess Respiratory Distress in the Out-of-Hospital Environment: A Scoping Review.

Background: The use of ultrasound in the out-of-hospital environment is increasingly feasible. The potential uses for point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) by paramedics are many, but have historically been limited to traumatic indications. This study utilized a scoping review methodology to map the evidence for the use of POCUS by paramedics to assess respiratory distress and to gain a broader understanding of the topic.