Impact of a Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training Program on the Management of Patients With Acute Respiratory or Circulatory Failure by In-Training Emergency Department Residents (IMPULSE): Before-and-After Implementation Study.

Background: Due to its diagnostic accuracy, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is becoming more frequently used in the emergency department (ED), but the feasibility of its use by in-training residents and the potential clinical impact have not been assessed.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the feasibility of implementing a structured POCUS training program for in-training ED residents, as well as the clinical impact of their use of POCUS in the management of patients in the ED.

Methods: IMPULSE (Impact of a Point-of Care Ultrasound Examination) is a before-and-after implementation study evaluating the impact of a structured POCUS training program for ED residents on the management of patients admitted with acute respiratory failure (ARF) and/or circulatory failure (ACF) in a Swiss regional hospital.