This study seeks to investigate the role of lung ultrasound in caring for Covid-19 positive patients and whether it can be used to predict patient deterioration. This information will be vital for healthcare workers who seek to identify Covid-19 pneumonia or patients at risk for deterioration early in the disease course.
As Covid-19 continues to stress hospital-based resources (including personal protective
equipment, ancillary staff availability, and imaging study utilization), it is important to
assess whether alternative methods for evaluating patients can be utilized to appropriately
triage and care for Covid-positive patients. Current limitations of caring for patients with
Covid-19 include the exposure of ancillary healthcare workers (including radiological
technicians) and the time/resources required to decontaminate traditional radiological
equipment such as x-ray or computerized tomography (CT) machines.
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has the potential to transform healthcare delivery due to
its diagnostic and therapeutic expediency. It can be quickly performed at the bedside by
experienced clinicians. It it has been shown to reliably and accurately diagnose patients
with a variety of lung diseases, including pneumonia. This study seeks to investigate the
role of lung ultrasound in caring for Covid-19 positive patients and whether it can be used
to predict patient deterioration. This information will be vital for healthcare workers who
seek to identify the virus or patients at risk for deterioration early in the disease course.
Moreover, it has the potential to reduce the need for x-rays or CTs for Covid-19 patients,
which has the potential to alleviate a significant burden currently being placed on the
healthcare system.
Diagnostic Test: Lung Ultrasound
Lung ultrasound will be performed on patients undergoing investigation for covid-19 based on a nasopharyngeal PCR.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Any adult (18 or more years of age) presenting to the emergency department with
symptoms suspicious for Covid-19
- This individual underwent evaluation for Covid-19 via a nasopharyngeal RT-PCR
- This individual received a lung ultrasound by the study authors within 28 days from
initial evaluation
Exclusion Criteria:
- Any individual who did not receive a lung ultrasound within 28 days from initial
evaluation for covid-19 related illness
University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, California, United States
Stanford University
Stanford, California, United States