Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Article Outline

• Copyright

This issue of Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine features review articles that address the role of bedside ultrasound in pediatric emergency medicine. During the past decade, great strides have been made in bringing technology to the patient's bedside with a goal to improve the efficiency, quality, safety, and comfort of medical care. This issue is designed to bring the emergency care practitioner up-to-date with recent advances in the application of bedside ultrasonography in children. The articles can be divided into 3 categories: (1) those that deal with diagnostic indications, (2) those that review the use of ultrasound to facilitate invasive procedures, and (3) those that speak to the administrative issues relevant to the implementation of this modality.

In the diagnostic category, Dr Friedman and Dr Tsung discuss one of the original indications of bedside ultrasound, the focused abdominal sonography in trauma examination, and more recent evolutions with contrast enhancement and extended focused abdominal sonography in trauma examinations. Dr Laurich and Dr Tsung discuss the indications for pelvic ultrasound in pregnant adolescents and young adults via the transabdominal and the transvaginal routes. Dr Cross discusses the use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of long bone fractures and as a tool to guide fracture reduction. Dr Longjohn and Dr Pershad examine the role of bedside ultrasound in identifying life-threatening derangements of cardiac function.

In the procedural guidance category, Dr Levy updates us on the use of ultrasound in guiding peripheral and central venous access, arthrocentesis, bladder catheterization, abscess incision and drainage, and foreign body identification and removal. Dr Marin discusses some novel diagnostic as well as procedural indications, including assessment of intracranial pressure via the optic nerve sheath diameter, endotracheal tube positioning assessment, lumbar puncture, and nerve blocks.

From the administrative point of view, Dr Moore helps us navigate through the confusing terminology relating to accreditation, hospital credentialing, provider training and certification, and professional billing. Dr Kim and colleagues discuss lessons learned from the implementation of point-of-care ultrasound and offer strategies and other administrative solutions toward the successful introduction of this modality into a pediatric emergency department.

The contributing authors in this issue of Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine are leaders for emergency ultrasound at their respective institutions. These authors have been personally involved in the advancement of this field in research, clinical care, and education. Their combined expertise and insights should serve the readers well.