A Call to Action for the Pediatric Critical Care Community

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Critical Care Medicine
• Pediatric Healthcare

Background:

• Healthcare regulatory bodies express concerns about non-radiology/cardiology physicians using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS).
• A recent perspective highlighted that data do not substantiate many of these concerns.
• Misconceptions regarding POCUS in critical care settings persist.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address misconceptions about POCUS use by non-specialist physicians in critical care.
• To propose next steps for integrating POCUS into pediatric critical care practice.
• To support the safe and effective translation of POCUS skills and technology at the bedside.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing data and literature regarding POCUS in critical care.
• Analysis of regulatory concerns and common misconceptions.
• Discussion of best practices for POCUS implementation in pediatric critical care.

Main Results:

• Data do not support many concerns raised by regulatory bodies regarding POCUS.
• POCUS can be used safely and effectively by non-specialist physicians in critical care.
• Pediatric critical care has an opportunity to lead in POCUS adoption.

Conclusions:

• The integration of POCUS into pediatric critical care is feasible and beneficial.
• Addressing misconceptions and demonstrating safe use are crucial for POCUS adoption.
• Further steps are needed to support widespread POCUS integration in critical care settings.