Why point-of-care ultrasound belongs in every emergency department triage

Emergency physicians Resa E. Lewiss and Courtney M. Smalley discuss their article, "Why point-of-care ultrasound belongs in emergency department triage." Amid the crisis of overcrowded waiting rooms and long wait times, they argue for the immediate integration of a powerful, underutilized tool: point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). Resa and Courtney use compelling clinical examples, like identifying a collapsed lung or a ruptured ectopic pregnancy in under two minutes, to show how POCUS can dramatically improve risk stratification and save lives before a patient even leaves the triage area. They counter potential objections by explaining that emergency physicians are already highly trained in POCUS, the technology fits existing workflows, and it is a billable procedure that can generate revenue. The conversation serves as a direct call to action for hospital leaders to redesign triage spaces and protocols, making POCUS a standard of care to ensure the sickest patients are identified and treated without delay. Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nation's largest health care hiring network, we're your partner in shaping health care's future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/careers Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress – visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/pattern SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended