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Characterizing Point-of-Care Ultrasound Credentialing in Pediatric Emergency Departments
Julia Aogaichi Brant1, Beth D'Amico2, Jonathan Orsborn1
1From the Section of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado/Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO.
Insights
Pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) show varied point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) credentialing. Standardized processes and incentives like salary bonuses may improve faculty credentialing and POCUS adoption in PEDs.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Medical Education
- Ultrasound Technology
Background:
- Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly utilized in pediatric emergency departments (PEDs).
- Formalized POCUS credentialing processes are essential for ensuring quality and competency.
- Current POCUS credentialing practices in PEDs are not well-documented or standardized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe formalized POCUS credentialing processes in PEDs within the pediatric emergency medicine POCUS (P2) Network.
- To identify variations and potential areas for standardization in POCUS credentialing.
Main Methods:
- A survey was developed based on national credentialing guidelines.
- An anonymous survey was distributed to over 230 members of the P2 Network.
- Descriptive analysis using counts and percentages was employed to analyze survey data.
Main Results:
- 36 PEDs responded, all with a faculty lead for POCUS credentialing and available POCUS education.
- 80.6% of PEDs had internal faculty credentialing processes, but only 44.8% had over 50% of faculty credentialed.
- Incentives like salary bonuses were offered by 4 PEDs; one offering shift buy-down achieved 100% faculty credentialing.
Conclusions:
- Significant lack of standardization exists in POCUS resources and credentialing components across surveyed PEDs.
- Incentives may play a crucial role in enhancing faculty credentialing rates and standardizing the overall process.
- Further research is needed to establish consistent POCUS credentialing guidelines for PEDs.
Objective:
It is unclear which pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) have a point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) credentialing process or if this process is consistent per expert guidelines. Our objective was to describe formalized POCUS credentialing processes across PEDs that are active in the pediatric emergency medicine POCUS (P2) Network.
Methods:
A survey was developed from nationally recommended credentialing guidelines. This anonymous survey was sent out to the P2 Network comprising more than 230 members involved in pediatric POCUS. The survey was analyzed using descriptive analysis with counts and percentages.
Results:
A total of 36 PEDs responded to the survey. All departments had a faculty member in charge of maintaining the credentialing process, and all faculty members had POCUS education available; 88.6% of education was scheduled didactics or bedside teaching. There were 80.6% of PEDs that had a process for internally credentialing faculty. Some PEDs offered protected education for POCUS, however, 44.8% had <50% of their faculty credentialed. There were 4 PEDs that offered incentives for completion of POCUS credentialing including salary bonuses; only 1 offered shift buy down as incentive. That PED had 100% of its faculty credentialed. All PEDs performed quality assurance on POCUS scans done in the ED, most done weekly. Billing for scans occurred in 26 PEDs. Skin/soft tissue and focused assessment with sonography for trauma were the 2 most common applications credentialed.
Conclusions:
Among PEDs surveyed, there was a lack of standardization of POCUS resources and components of credentialing. Incentives may be beneficial in improving credentialing faculty and standardizing the credentialing process.
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