`Point-of-care ultrasound`, available in any kind
of critical setting, was viewed as a technical impossibility until a
decade ago. However, through the work of multiple dedicated researchers
and authors around the world, it is now one of the fastest spreading
imaging applications in a variety of clinical specialties including
critical care, surgery, emergency medicine, anesthesiology, general
internal medicine, pediatrics and others.
The novel
concept of point-of-care `Ultrasound Resuscitation` has recently
evolved with the availability of high quality portable ultrasound
devices, in combination with an increasing number of clinicians who have
developed point-of-care ultrasound skills to help manage patients in
`critical` situations. Clinical scenarios turn into ‘critical’ ones
when there is a performance gap between the patient needs and the
resources available for decision making and problem solving (Crisis
Resource Management). This typically occurs in the acutely ill patient
(Emergency US/Intensive/ Critical Care US), and/or where human or
technical resources are limited (Screening US/Triage US/Remote
US/Primary US).
Point-of-care
image acquisition and interpretation, integrated with life support
protocols (BLS, ALS/ACLS, ATLS, PHTLS/PTC, PALS, etc.), which follow the
‘ABCDE’ or ‘Head-to-Toes’ evaluation methodology allow
for rapid and effective decision making, enhance triage, diagnosis,
therapy, monitoring, and patient follow up.
The `Ultrasound
Life Support` concept, qualifying this new approach to
resuscitation, represents a new integrated clinical strategy which is
promoted world-wide by WINFOCUS with the support of an increasing number
of national and International scientific societies and institutions.
As clinical
practice and research grow in the field, there is also an emerging need
for `consensus` on its interpretation and performance. In
addition, future research and ultrasound equipment development may be
improved and made more efficient by the creation of common terminology
and protocols as well as development of the most up-to-date standards.
That is why, following the successful start up of the International
Consensus Conferences on clinical (Pleural & Lung Ultrasound)
and procedural applications (US-guided vascular access), Winfocus
announced a new series of EBM and consensus-based meetings that over
2010-2012 will cover the overall `ABCDE` and `Head-to-Toes` management
of the critical patient. First targeting major focused applications
(Focused Echocardiography, Focused Airway Ultrasound, FAST, etc ...),
then reviewing and standardizing multifocused approaches as the `FAST
ABCDE` in resuscitation or the combined `Lung/Heart/Vein
Ultrasound` in dyspnea or shock states. |
