Impact of Immediate Point-of-Care Ultrasound on Patients With Cardiopulmonary Symptoms in the Emergency Department
Impact of Immediate Point-of-Care Ultrasound on Patients With Cardiopulmonary Symptoms in the Emergency Department
The purpose of the proposed research is to examine whether incorporating point-of-care
 ultrasound (POCUS) early in diagnostic work-up of cardiopulmonary complaints will affect
 diagnosis, time to condition-specific intervention, and ultimately patient outcomes compared
 to usual care.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Chief complaint of chest pain, dyspnea (either sudden onset or increased severity of
 chronic dyspnea), syncope, or hypotension (systolic blood pressure <100 or shock index
 [heart rate divided by systolic blood pressure] >1)

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  <18 years old

 -  Prisoner or ward of the state

 -  Trauma

 -  High acuity requiring treatment in resuscitation room

 -  Obvious cause of symptoms (e.g. acute GI bleed causing hypotension)

 -  Any form of "do not resuscitate" (DNR) order

 -  Roomed in hall of emergency department (location not amenable to ultrasound protocol)