While not all portable ultrasound examinations are of an emergency nature, its predominant use originated within the “we-need-it-STAT” category. Hence, the significant role of emergency medicine in contributing to point-of-care ultrasound best practices and insight into the valuable role ultrasonography can play at the bedside.
In mid-November, the contributions of emergency physicians to the proper use of “focused emergency ultrasound examinations” (a.k.a. point-of-care ultrasound) was acknowledged by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). According to their November 17, 2011, press release, the AIUM now recognizes the American College of Emergency Physician’s (ACEP) Policy Statement Emergency Ultrasound Guidelines as “meeting the qualifications for performing ultrasound in the emergency settings. These guidelines describe the education and training required by emergency physicians to achieve competency for the performance of focused emergency ultrasound applications in clinical practice.”
I agree with Michael Blaivas, MD, chair of the AIUM Emergency and Critical Care Ultrasound Community, when, in that release, he states: “The ultimate beneficiaries of this recognition [of ACEP’s guidelines] are our patients as ultrasound spreads more widely to help patients who are suffering from acute and chronic illness or undergoing potentially dangerous or painful procedures.”
I applaud AIUM’s recognition of ACEP’s Emergency Ultrasound Guidelines. I see this as a positive step for point-of-care ultrasound that will benefit physicians and patients alike.