Bedside ultrasound performed at point of care by non-radiologists for diagnosis or guidance
Expansion
Point-of-Care Ultrasound
Purpose
Rapid assessment in emergency, ICU, and outpatient settings
Clinical Context
POCUS includes FAST, lung ultrasound, IVC assessment, cardiac evaluation, and guidance for procedures. Less comprehensive than formal radiology ultrasound but rapid and point-of-care.
Related Terms
- Formal ultrasound
- FAST
Key Points
- POCUS increasingly used by emergency medicine physicians, ICU doctors, and internists for rapid assessment