ABSTRACT
Objective
To provide an opinion regarding the usefulness of point of care ultrasound in obstetrics
and gynaecology.
Target Population
Women with pregnancy-related complications or issues who could benefit from an urgent
bedside sonographic evaluation.
Options
Point of care ultrasound is a readily accessible option, requiring few resources.
Benefits, Harms, and Costs
This low-cost imaging option can expedite appropriate patient management, enhance
provider confidence, and allay the patient's anxiety in a timely fashion. However,
there is potential for error in imaging or interpretation, resulting in incorrect
and potentially harmful patient management.
Evidence
MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library weres earched from 2009 to 2019.
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and keywords were related to pregnancy, PoCUS, point
of care ultrasound, and bedside ultrasound. This document represents an abstraction
of the evidence rather than a methodological review.
Validation Methods
The authors rated the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations using the
Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.
See online Appendix A (Tables A1 for definitions and A2 for interpretations of strong and weak recommendations).
Intended Audience
Providers of urgent care for pregnant women (obstetricians and gynaecologists, family
physicians, emergency room physicians, midwives, nurse practitioners, nurses).
SUMMARY STATEMENT (GRADE ratings in parentheses)
- 1Point of care ultrasound can provide timely and valuable information for management of several complications or issues that arise during pregnancy, labour and delivery, and the postpartum period (low).
RECOMMENDATIONS (GRADE ratings in parentheses)
- 1All units providing urgent care to pregnant women (including labour and delivery services) should strive to provide 24-hour access to point of care ultrasound (conditional, low).
- 2Training, accreditation, and quality assurance for point of care ultrasound should be guided by standards established by regional or local health authorities or local regulatory or credentialing bodies (conditional, low).
Keywords
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REFERENCES
- Position statement on the use of point of care ultrasound.2013 (Available at:) (Accessed on July 2, 2021)
- Point of Care Ultrasound: A WFUMB Position Paper.Ultrasound Med Biol. 2017; 43: 49-58
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 06, 2021
No. 421, September 2021 (Replaces No. 104, May 2001)Footnotes
This document reflects emerging clinical and scientific advances as of the publication date and is subject to change. The information is not meant to dictate an exclusive course of treatment or procedure. Institutions are free to amend the recommendations. The SOGC suggests, however, that they adequately document any such amendments.
Informed consent: Everyone has the right and responsibility to make informed decisions about their care together with their health care providers. In order to facilitate this, the SOGC recommends that health care providers provide patients with information and support that is evidence-based, culturally appropriate, and personalized.
Language and inclusivity: The SOGC recognizes the importance to be fully inclusive and when context is appropriate, gender-neutral language will be used. In other circumstances, we continue to use gendered language because of our mission to advance women's health. The SOGC recognizes and respects the rights of all people for whom the information in this document may apply, including but not limited to transgender, non-binary, and intersex people. The SOGC encourages healthcare providers to engage in respectful conversation with their patients about their gender identity and preferred gender pronouns and to apply these guidelines in a way that is sensitive to each person's needs.
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada/La Société des obstétriciens et gynécologues du Canada. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
