OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed 400 ultrasound examinations in the ICU to assess the indications of this imaging modality. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective analysis on prospectively collected data on 400 patients in a tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: The observational, prospective, clinical study examined 400 bedside abdominal ultrasound examinations performed in the ICU, of which 2% were performed emergently, 56% urgently, and 42% electively. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Environmental conditions impaired the examination slightly in 54%, moderately in 27%, and severely in 4%. Total time per study ranged from 1 to 45 min (median 10). New pathological findings were detected in 31% while 33% confirmed already known pathologies. In 53% there was no therapeutic consequence, in 27% treatment was continued based on the sonographic findings, in 10% an intervention was necessary, in 6% other therapeutic changes followed, and in 4% additional evaluation was deemed necessary. In 80% no other imaging test had to be performed. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound studies are deemed sufficient in a large proportion of patients and help to avoid other, more elaborate imaging studies. However, more focused indications for studies may help to improve cost-effectiveness.
OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed 400 ultrasound examinations in the ICU to assess the indications of this imaging modality. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective analysis on prospectively collected data on 400 patients in a tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: The observational, prospective, clinical study examined 400 bedside abdominal ultrasound examinations performed in the ICU, of which 2% were performed emergently, 56% urgently, and 42% electively. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Environmental conditions impaired the examination slightly in 54%, moderately in 27%, and severely in 4%. Total time per study ranged from 1 to 45 min (median 10). New pathological findings were detected in 31% while 33% confirmed already known pathologies. In 53% there was no therapeutic consequence, in 27% treatment was continued based on the sonographic findings, in 10% an intervention was necessary, in 6% other therapeutic changes followed, and in 4% additional evaluation was deemed necessary. In 80% no other imaging test had to be performed. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound studies are deemed sufficient in a large proportion of patients and help to avoid other, more elaborate imaging studies. However, more focused indications for studies may help to improve cost-effectiveness.
Authors: G Lock; C Zülke; K Lerch; R Andreesen; C Eilles; K W Jauch; S Feuerbach; J Schölmerich Journal: Z Gastroenterol Date: 2000-12 Impact factor: 2.000
Authors: Sara E Cosgrove; Youlin Qi; Keith S Kaye; Stephan Harbarth; Adolf W Karchmer; Yehuda Carmeli Journal: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Date: 2005-02 Impact factor: 3.254
Authors: Cédric Carrie; Chloé Gisbert-Mora; Alice Quinart; Nicolas Grenier; François Sztark Journal: Intensive Care Med Date: 2011-11-26 Impact factor: 17.440