Abstract

Background: Traditional imaging techniques have been the cornerstone of diagnosing critically ill patients; however, the advent of Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) has introduced a potentially faster, more accessible option. This study compares the efficacy, accuracy, and clinical impact of POCUS against traditional imaging methods in a critical care setting. Methods: A comparative, cross-sectional study was conducted involving 140 critically ill patients who underwent both POCUS and traditional imaging techniques. The parameters evaluated included sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy for specific conditions (pneumothorax, pleural effusion, cardiac tamponade, and pulmonary edema), decision-making time, and cost-effectiveness. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square and t-tests where appropriate, with a significance level set at p<0.05.

Description