Episode 164 - EMS HOCUS POCUS

MCHD's POCUS program has definitely involved both forward progress and lessons learned. In this episode, we'll discuss some of the reasons POCUS can be a game changer in the prehospital setting. However, unintended consequences do exist. We've begun to make the move to utilizing carotid ultrasound in OHCA, and we'll tell you exactly why. REFERENCES 1. Badra K, Coutin A, Simard R, Pinto R, Lee JS, Chenkin J. The POCUS pulse check: A randomized controlled crossover study comparing pulse detection by palpation versus by point-of-care ultrasound. Resuscitation. 2019 Jun;139:17-23. 2. Kang SY, Jo IJ, Lee G, Park JE, Kim T, Lee SU, Hwang SY, Shin TG, Kim K, Shim JS, Yoon H. Point-of-care ultrasound compression of the carotid artery for pulse determination in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Resuscitation. 2022 Oct;179:206-213. 3. Clattenburg EJ, Wroe P, Brown S, Gardner K, Losonczy L, Singh A, Nagdev A. Point-of-care ultrasound use in patients with cardiac arrest is associated prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation pauses: A prospective cohort study. Resuscitation. 2018 Jan;122:65-68. 4. Clattenburg EJ, Wroe PC, Gardner K, Schultz C, Gelber J, Singh A, Nagdev A. Implementation of the Cardiac Arrest Sonographic Assessment (CASA) protocol for patients with cardiac arrest is associated with shorter CPR pulse checks. Resuscitation. 2018 Oct;131:69-73. 5. Ochoa FJ, Ramalle-Gómara E, Carpintero JM, García A, Saralegui I. Competence of health professionals to check the carotid pulse. Resuscitation. 1998 Jun;37(3):173-5. 6. Zengin S, Gümüşboğa H, Sabak M, Eren ŞH, Altunbas G, Al B. Comparison of manual pulse palpation, cardiac ultrasonography and Doppler ultrasonography to check the pulse in cardiopulmonary arrest patients. Resuscitation. 2018 Dec;133:59-64.