Usefulness of point of care ultrasound in older adults: a multicentre study across different geriatric care settings in Spain and the United Kingdom

• Published in: Age and ageing Vol. 53; no. 7
• Main Authors: Reinoso-Párraga, Paola Pastora, González-Montalvo, Juan Ignacio, Menéndez-Colino, Rocío, Perkisas, Stany, Rivera-Deras, Ivón, Garmendia-Prieto, Blanca, Arain, Salman Javed, Tung-Chen, Yale, Vilches-Moraga, Arturo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 02.07.2024; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Averages; Curricula; Diagnosis; Drug therapy; Female; Geriatric Assessment - methods; Geriatric wards; Geriatrics; Health Services for the Aged - standards; Humans; Male; Medical diagnosis; Medical referrals; Multicenter studies; Older people; Patient admissions; Patients; Physical examinations; Point-of-Care Systems; Point-of-Care Testing - statistics & numerical data; Predictive Value of Tests; Retrospective Studies; Spain; Treatment methods; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonography - methods; Ultrasonography - statistics & numerical data; Ultrasound; United Kingdom; Usefulness; United Kingdom; Spain; United Kingdom > UK; older people; multiorgan point of care ultrasound; geriatrics care settings; point of care ultrasound (POCUS)
• ISSN: 0002-0729; 1468-2834; 1468-2834
• DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afae165

Abstract Background Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is an imaging technique performed bedside. To date, few published studies have reported the usefulness of multiorgan POCUS in Geriatrics. The objective of this study was to describe the utility of multiorgan POCUS in the care of older adults admitted to geriatric care settings. Methodology Observational retrospective study of patients admitted to geriatric settings in Spain and UK. Multiorgan POCUS was performed when there was a specific clinical suspicion or unexplained torpid clinical course despite physical examination and complementary tests. A geriatrician with a certificate degree in comprehensive ultrasound and long-standing experience in POCUS carried out POCUS. All patients underwent multiorgan POCUS in a cephalo-caudal manner. Results Out of 368 patients admitted to geriatric units, 29% met the inclusion criteria. Average age was 85.9 years (SD ± 6.1). POCUS identified 235 clinically significant findings (2.2 per patient). Findings were classified as 37.9% confirmed diagnosis, 16.6% ruled out diagnosis, 14.9% unsuspected relevant diagnoses and 30.6% clinical follow-ups. POCUS findings led to changes in pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment in 66.3 and 69.2% respectively, resulted in completion or avoidance of invasive procedures in 17.8 and 15.9%, respectively, facilitating early referrals to other specialities in 14.9% and avoiding transfers in 25.2% of patients. Conclusion Multiorgan POCUS is a tool that aids in the assessment and treatment of patients receiving care in geriatrics units. These results show the usefulness of POCUS in the management of older adults and suggest its inclusion in any curriculum of Geriatric Medicine speciality training.