Importance of bedside ultrasound application in the intensive care unit

Abstract

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become an essential tool in the intensive care unit (ICU), enabling rapid, dynamic, and safe assessment of critically ill patients. Its applicability increases diagnostic accuracy, assists in clinical decision-making, and reduces dependence on conventional imaging methods, which often require transporting unstable patients. This study aims to analyze, through a literature review, the importance of applying point-of-care ultrasound in the intensive care unit, highlighting its main clinical benefits and impacts on the care of critically ill patients. This is a literature review based on scientific articles published between 2017 and 2024, available in the PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar databases. Studies addressing the use of ultrasound in the context of intensive care, in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, were included. Studies show that the use of POCUS (Point-of-Care Ultrasound) in the ICU significantly contributes to hemodynamic, respiratory, and abdominal assessment, as well as guiding invasive procedures with greater safety. A reduction in complications, optimization of diagnostic time, and improvement in the quality of care were observed. Bedside ultrasound proves to be an indispensable tool in the ICU, promoting safer, more effective, and evidence-based care, reinforcing the need for continuous training of healthcare professionals.