AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound Examinations

T he clinical aspects of this parameter were developed collaboratively among the AIUM and other organizations whose members use ultrasound for performing point-ofcare examinations to answer a specific clinical question (see “Acknowledgments”). Recommendations for practitioner requirements, the written request for the examination, procedure documentation, and quality control vary among the organizations and are addressed by each separately. This practice parameter has been developed to assist practitioners performing point-of-care ultrasound examinations to evaluate the abdomen and retroperitoneum, thorax, or heart or to assess for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). For point-of-care emergency ultrasound guidance, please refer to the American College of Emergency Physicians Emergency Ultrasound Guidelines and Imaging Compendium. For procedure guidance, please refer to the AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of Selected Ultrasound-Guided Procedures. A point-of-care ultrasound examination is a unique diagnostic test, which is complementary to the physical examination. Although it is not possible to detect every abnormality, adherence to the following practice parameter will maximize the probability of answering the clinical questions prompting the study. Occasionally, an additional and/or comprehensive ultrasound examination may be necessary. The use of ultrasound in a particular institution or setting must be based on access to equipment and appropriately trained personnel and should be subject to an organized quality assurance program.