The impact of physiotherapy led lung ultrasound on patient management: A single centre service evaluation

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a non-invasive, point-of-care imaging modality increasingly used by physiotherapists to support diagnosis and guide intervention in critically ill patients. Evidence describing its impact on physiotherapy assessment, management, and resource utilisation remains limited.

To describe physiotherapy-led LUS practice, including scan indications, scan findings, influence on physiotherapy intervention selection, and potential implications for resource utilisation.

A single-centre, prospective service evaluation was conducted between September 2024 and May 2025. Data were collected for all patients receiving physiotherapy-led LUS capturing patient demographics, scan indications and findings, intervention changes, and predicted resource implications. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise outcomes.

117 scans were completed. Patients were predominantly post-cardiac surgery in intensive care (43/117, 37%). Acute deterioration was the most common indication (41%). LUS most frequently identified lobar collapse and pleural effusion. Physiotherapists reported reduced diagnostic uncertainty (97%), modified interventions (76% of cases) and the prevention of physiotherapy intervention that would otherwise have been ineffective (85/117, 73%). Predicted reductions in imaging and treatment duration were noted in 39% of assessments.

Physiotherapy-led LUS appears feasible and may enhance assessment accuracy, guide targeted interventions, and optimise resource utilisation across respiratory care.