Considerations for Pre-deployment Planning in Point-of-Care Ultrasound Program Implementation: A HIMSS-SIIM...

Area of Science:

• Medical technology
• Clinical diagnostics
• Healthcare management

Background:

• Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) offers real-time bedside diagnostic capabilities.
• Implementing institutional POCUS programs is complex, demanding coordinated imaging workflows across specialties.
• Established POCUS governance is a prerequisite for successful pre-deployment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe best practices for the critical pre-deployment phase of implementing an institutional POCUS program.
• To guide institutions in establishing POCUS programs by detailing essential considerations and steps.
• To provide a framework for navigating the complexities of POCUS integration.

Main Methods:

• The white paper focuses on the pre-deployment phase following POCUS program governance establishment.
• Key considerations discussed include goal setting, workflow scaling (clinical, educational, technological), and budget.
• It outlines necessary departmental approvals (IT, legal, billing, etc.) and the role of POCUS workflow manager software and a clinical ultrasound director.

Main Results:

• Best practices for POCUS pre-deployment involve strategic goal setting and scaling across domains.
• Successful implementation necessitates addressing budget, deployment complexity, and securing multi-departmental approvals.
• A comprehensive project charter is presented to guide the integration process from inception to adoption.

Conclusions:

• Meticulous planning and oversight are crucial for POCUS program implementation, especially during the pre-deployment phase.
• Addressing clinical, educational, technological, and administrative facets is vital for sustained POCUS adoption.
• The white paper provides a roadmap for navigating the complexities of integrating POCUS into healthcare institutions.