Utilization of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in Emergency and Critical Care: Role of Nursing for Enhancing Diagnostic Accuracy and Efficiency-Systematic Review

Background: Point -of -care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as a valuable diagnostic tool across various healthcare settings, role of nursing and specifically in emergency department, prompting efforts to enhance education, implementation, and technological innovations. This comprehensive review synthesizes recent data on POCUS techniques, uses, benefits, nursing roles, barriers, nursing role, and technological advancements. Methods: Data from diverse sources, including academic literature, surveys, and studies, were synthesized to provide a comprehensive overview of POCUS-related topics. Discussions encompassed POCUS techniques, clinical applications, benefits, nursing roles, barriers to implementation, and recent technological innovations. Results: Recent studies have highlighted the expanding utility of POCUS techniques in diverse clinical scenarios, ranging from obstetric and gynecologic care to trauma assessment and heart failure management. Furthermore, nurse -led POCUS initiatives have demonstrated promising outcomes in improving patient care and outcomes, particularly in rural and underserved communities. However, challenges persist, including barriers related to equipment availability, training, funding, infrastructure, and quality assurance. Technological innovations such as ultrasound -on -chip technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and augmented reality (AR) hold promise for addressing some of these challenges and advancing POCUS education and implementation. Discussion: The findings underscore the importance of ongoing efforts to address barriers and enhance POCUS education, implementation, and technology. Collaboration among healthcare professionals, policymakers, educators, and technology developers is crucial for realizing the full potential of POCUS in improving patient care and outcomes. Conclusion: While significant progress has been made in POCUS education, implementation, and technology, challenges remain. Continued investment in education, training, infrastructure, and technological innovations is essential for maximizing the benefits of POCUS across diverse healthcare settings.