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Abstract: To address identified learning gaps among physician associates/assistants (PAs) working with point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in our ED, we designed and implemented a longitudinal POCUS curriculum. This curriculum introduced the 12 main POCUS applications for emergency medicine with presession educational assignments and in-person learning sessions. We used the Kirkpatrick framework of evaluation to develop our metrics of measurement. To examine the effect of the curriculum, pre- and postcurriculum surveys were completed and use of POCUS before, during, and after the curriculum period was monitored. Our results showed the curriculum increased confidence and knowledge of POCUS applications and significantly increased the use of POCUS clinically by PAs. Formal, on-the-job POCUS education for postgraduate PAs is a vital adjunct to informal clinical learning for PAs in emergency medicine to gain POCUS skills., (Copyright © 2023 American Academy of Physician Associates.)

Background: Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) present with diagnostic challenges because COVID-19 can cause varied end-organ failures that mimic respiratory distress of pulmonary origin. Early identification of concurrent complications can significantly alter patient management and course. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can be particularly useful in helping to differentiate concomitant complications with COVID-19. While lung POCUS findings related to COVID-19 have been published, little guidance exists on how ultrasound can be incorporated into a more comprehensive evaluation of patients under investigation for COVID-19., Objectives: We devised a pathway called COVUS that incorporates POCUS into the initial evaluation of patients under investigation for COVID-19 to guide diagnosis and management., Discussion: The pathway was derived based on a review of literature, consensus from the ultrasound faculty, as well as feedback from the entire faculty group at one academic institution with high volumes of patients with COVID-19. The scanning protocol uses a cardiac-first (rather than lung-first) approach to identify potential concomitant organ failure that may immediately alter management., Conclusions: COVUS aims to maximize identification of the most immediately life-threatening complications while minimizing time at bedside and provider risk of exposure to COVID-19., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)