Minimum standards for ultrasound equipment in intensive care. Recommendations from CICM Ultrasound Special Interest Group.

Critical care ultrasonography allows rapid bedside assessment and monitoring of severely ill patients. It provides important information on a real-time basis for patients' management and clinical decision-making, leading to improvements in delivered quality of care. Provision of this service is not possible without appropriate equipment. This document recommends minimum standards for ultrasound equipment required for use in intensive care units in Australia and New Zealand.