Nursing

Point-of-Care Ultrasound is Essential in Providing Quality Patient Care

Nurses, who are often times a patient’s first-line of care, are now using point-of-care ultrasound* to ensure their patients have the best, most efficient, care possible. Helping to improve patient care, efficiency of procedures, and reduce complications, point-of-care ultrasound in nursing may be used for a variety of diagnostic and procedural guidance applications. The use of ultrasound in nursing is rapidly evolving and improving because it is cost effective, improves efficiency of procedures and is non-invasive.

Reduce complications and improve efficiency by using ultrasound for these applications:

  • Peripheral intravenous (PIV)
    Reduce the number of attempts and supplies used when vessels are difficult to locate, improve patient experience, avoid complications and the need for central venous lines (CVC), and eliminate delays. See how to perform an ultrasound-guided PIV Insertion now.
  • Arterial lines and arterial blood gases
    Improve success rate, efficiency, and safety for arterial puncture and blood sampling or when patient’s pulse is difficult to palpate
  • Diagnostic bladder scanning
    Reduce cost, and lower the risk of infection from unneeded urethral catheterization by scanning the bladder for residual urine
  • Limited OB-GYN examinations
    Improve efficiency in an obstetric or gynecologic healthcare setting. Perform limited ultrasound diagnostics to confirm fetal heart activity or fetal presentation
  • Cardiac/volume status
    Assess cardiac volume status in heart failure or sepsis patients quickly by looking at pleural cavities and the inferior vena cava (IVC)

*Medical scope of practice can vary by state and/or local jurisdiction.

Millions Saved, Fewer Pokes with POCUS-Guided PIV

Watch how St. Joseph's Heath Care System is using ultrasound to reduce the number of sticks necessary to place a peripheral IV.

 

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