Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in Emergency and Trauma Surgery: Diagnostic Accuracy, Clinical Impact, and Its Role in Rapid Decision-Making in Critical Care Settings

This quantitative study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy, clinical impact, and role of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in rapid decision-making within emergency and trauma care settings. A prospective observational design was conducted in the emergency department and critical care units of a tertiary-level hospital, involving a consecutive sample of 120 adult patients presenting with traumatic injuries or critical medical conditions. POCUS examinations were performed by trained clinicians using standardized protocols, and findings were compared with reference standards including computed tomography, surgical findings, or definitive clinical diagnoses. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed using sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value, while chi-square and independent samples t tests were applied for statistical analysis. Results demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy of POCUS, with sensitivity of 92.9% and specificity of 83.3% (p < .001). Patients assessed with POCUS experienced significantly reduced clinical decision-making time compared to those managed without POCUS (p < .001). Additionally, POCUS-guided management was significantly associated with improved early patient stabilization outcomes (p < .001). These findings support the effectiveness of POCUS as a reliable bedside diagnostic tool that enhances rapid clinical decision-making and improves short-term outcomes in emergency and trauma care settings.