More evidence that point-of-care ultrasound improves care
January 20, 2025
by Gus Iversen, Editor in Chief
Two separate studies highlight different ways that point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can improve patient outcomes.
Preliminary results from a study conducted by Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) demonstrate that POCUS can significantly reduce hospital length of stay (LOS) and associated costs. The findings were presented at the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging’s EchoEuro-Imaging Conference in December 2024.
The study, which utilized handheld Butterfly iQ+ and iQ3 POCUS devices, focused on patients admitted with shortness of breath of unclear origin. Physicians using POCUS were compared with those relying on traditional diagnostic methods. Results showed that POCUS use reduced LOS by an average of more than four days. For lower-acuity patients, LOS dropped from 6.7 to 5.6 days, while higher-acuity patients experienced a more substantial reduction, from 39 to 16.7 days. These improvements also translated into cost savings, with lower-acuity patient care costs reduced by up to 50%.
“This study is an important demonstration that point-of-care ultrasound can serve as a practical tool for stratifying patient acuity, reducing hospital resource utilization, and improving patient flow,” said Dr. Partho Sengupta, principal investigator and chief of cardiovascular medicine at RWJMS and RWJUH. “The preliminary findings support the growing body of evidence advocating for POCUS as an essential component of modern hospital care.”
The daily use of lung ultrasound was particularly impactful for accelerating discharge among lower-acuity patients, highlighting its role in optimizing hospital workflows and patient management.
Dr. John Martin, chief medical officer at Butterfly Network, described the results as evidence of the potential for POCUS to transform care delivery. “The integration of POCUS into hospital workflows is not just about advancing technology but about transforming the patient experience while addressing critical challenges in healthcare systems,” he said.
The full study is expected to be published in the first half of 2025.
Early pregnancy exams
Another study, conducted by the University of Minnesota Medical School, has found that incorporating POCUS into early pregnancy care can significantly enhance patient outcomes while reducing emergency visits.
Published in the Annals of Family Medicine, the research showed an 81% decrease in emergency visits, urgent clinic appointments, and phone inquiries among non-miscarrying patients.
Traditionally, early pregnancy care required separate appointments for ultrasound imaging, risk assessments, and patient education. The new integrated approach, implemented at M Health Fairview Clinic – Bethesda in 2022, streamlines care into a single visit. Patients under 14 weeks pregnant receive real-time ultrasound-based evaluations, including pregnancy dating, viability assessments, and risk evaluations, followed by immediate counseling.
“Our study demonstrates that the use of point-of-care ultrasound provides meaningful benefit to the patients we serve by addressing early pregnancy problems at the time they are identified,” said Dr. Allison Newman, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and a family medicine physician with M Health Fairview.
Key findings of that study:
Emergency visit reductions: Non-miscarrying patients experienced an 81% drop in emergency visits and related first-trimester inquiries.
Faster miscarriage diagnosis: The time from initial concern to diagnosis for miscarriage cases was reduced from an average of 5.8 days to 1.7 days.
Improved education and support: Patients, including those experiencing miscarriage, received more timely care and enhanced support through on-site counseling.
The integrated use of POCUS also allowed for earlier identification of high-risk cases and facilitated immediate interventions when abnormalities were detected.
Preliminary results from a study conducted by Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) demonstrate that POCUS can significantly reduce hospital length of stay (LOS) and associated costs. The findings were presented at the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging’s EchoEuro-Imaging Conference in December 2024.
The study, which utilized handheld Butterfly iQ+ and iQ3 POCUS devices, focused on patients admitted with shortness of breath of unclear origin. Physicians using POCUS were compared with those relying on traditional diagnostic methods. Results showed that POCUS use reduced LOS by an average of more than four days. For lower-acuity patients, LOS dropped from 6.7 to 5.6 days, while higher-acuity patients experienced a more substantial reduction, from 39 to 16.7 days. These improvements also translated into cost savings, with lower-acuity patient care costs reduced by up to 50%.
“This study is an important demonstration that point-of-care ultrasound can serve as a practical tool for stratifying patient acuity, reducing hospital resource utilization, and improving patient flow,” said Dr. Partho Sengupta, principal investigator and chief of cardiovascular medicine at RWJMS and RWJUH. “The preliminary findings support the growing body of evidence advocating for POCUS as an essential component of modern hospital care.”
The daily use of lung ultrasound was particularly impactful for accelerating discharge among lower-acuity patients, highlighting its role in optimizing hospital workflows and patient management.
Dr. John Martin, chief medical officer at Butterfly Network, described the results as evidence of the potential for POCUS to transform care delivery. “The integration of POCUS into hospital workflows is not just about advancing technology but about transforming the patient experience while addressing critical challenges in healthcare systems,” he said.
The full study is expected to be published in the first half of 2025.
Early pregnancy exams
Another study, conducted by the University of Minnesota Medical School, has found that incorporating POCUS into early pregnancy care can significantly enhance patient outcomes while reducing emergency visits.
Published in the Annals of Family Medicine, the research showed an 81% decrease in emergency visits, urgent clinic appointments, and phone inquiries among non-miscarrying patients.
Traditionally, early pregnancy care required separate appointments for ultrasound imaging, risk assessments, and patient education. The new integrated approach, implemented at M Health Fairview Clinic – Bethesda in 2022, streamlines care into a single visit. Patients under 14 weeks pregnant receive real-time ultrasound-based evaluations, including pregnancy dating, viability assessments, and risk evaluations, followed by immediate counseling.
“Our study demonstrates that the use of point-of-care ultrasound provides meaningful benefit to the patients we serve by addressing early pregnancy problems at the time they are identified,” said Dr. Allison Newman, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and a family medicine physician with M Health Fairview.
Key findings of that study:
Emergency visit reductions: Non-miscarrying patients experienced an 81% drop in emergency visits and related first-trimester inquiries.
Faster miscarriage diagnosis: The time from initial concern to diagnosis for miscarriage cases was reduced from an average of 5.8 days to 1.7 days.
Improved education and support: Patients, including those experiencing miscarriage, received more timely care and enhanced support through on-site counseling.
The integrated use of POCUS also allowed for earlier identification of high-risk cases and facilitated immediate interventions when abnormalities were detected.