Practice Pattern of Critical Care UltraSonography in India (POCUS India): A Multicenter Cross-sectional Survey.

Background and aim: Performing a point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) scan in critical care, along with the incorporation of the findings into a clinical pathway, has now become the standard of care. The Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) has established an ultrasound network and released the desirable competencies for intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians regarding the same. This survey was performed to study the practice patterns and barriers to utilizing POCUS among various specialists across Indian ICUs. Methods: An online survey-based, cross-sectional, multicenter, observational study was conducted over a period of 3 months with a questionnaire based on the utility, skills, training, and comfort in performing POCUS in Indian ICUs. Results: A total of 864 responses were received and analyzed. A total of 67.4% among them were specialists in critical care medicine, and 67.2% had received some form of training in POCUS. Most clinicians reported using POCUS for lung assessments, volume status evaluation, and focused cardiac assessments. Key barriers were inadequate training, limited machines, lack of supervision, time constraints, and medicolegal issues, though 32.4% reported no major obstacles. The majority of participants agreed that POCUS enables more efficient and safer care for critically ill patients. 624/864 respondents strongly agreed that POCUS training is essential for intensivists. Conclusion: Point-of-care ultrasound is being increasingly adopted across various specialties in critical care settings. This survey highlights the practice pattern of POCUS across India and possible limitations in expanding the role of POCUS for the management of critically ill. CTRI reg: CTRI/2022/09/045417. How to cite this article: Pal D, Govil D, Pachisia AV, Soni KD, Gupta S, Kothekar AT,