Seeing Is Believing: Ultrasound in Pediatric Procedural Performance

• Published in: Pediatrics (Evanston) Vol. 144; no. 5; p. 1
• Main Authors: Fraga, María V, Stoller, Jason Z, Glau, Christie L, De Luca, Daniele, Rempell, Rachel G, Wenger, Jesse L, Yek Kee, Chor, Muhly, Wallis T, Boretsky, Karen, Conlon, Thomas W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Academy of Pediatrics 01-11-2019
• Subjects: Catheterization, Central Venous - methods; Catheterization, Peripheral - methods; Child; Emergency medical services; Humans; Image quality; Life Sciences; Pediatrics; Point-of-Care Systems; Point-of-Care Testing; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonography, Interventional - methods; Ultrasound
• ISSN: 0031-4005; 1098-4275
• DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-1401

Point-of-care ultrasound is currently widely used across the landscape of pediatric care. Ultrasound machines are now smaller, are easier to use, and have much improved image quality. They have become common in emergency departments, ICUs, inpatient wards, and outpatient clinics. Recent growth of supportive evidence makes a strong case for using point-of-care ultrasound for pediatric interventions such as vascular access (in particular, central-line placement), lumbar puncture, fluid drainage (paracentesis, thoracentesis, pericardiocentesis), suprapubic aspiration, and soft tissue incision and drainage. Our review of this evidence reveals that point-of-care ultrasound has become a powerful tool for improving procedural success and patient safety. Pediatric patients and clinicians performing procedures stand to benefit greatly from point-of-care ultrasound, because seeing is believing.