The integration of POCUS into HIV/TB protocols provided a more comprehensive approach to patient care, addressing multiple aspects of the diseases in a single diagnostic session.
A 25-year-old woman, four days postpartum, presented to a rural hospital’s accident and emergency ward with a painful, red, and swollen right leg extending from the groin to the knee. In a setting lacking immediate access to a radiologist, the initial clinical assessment suggested a potential insect bite, but no conclusive bite marks were noted. The plan was to send the patient home, pending imaging studies scheduled for the following day.
The situation took a pivotal turn when a clinical officer, trained in Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Trauma procedures, opted to conduct an on-the-spot evaluation using a portable ultrasound device. This decision marked a vital deviation from the initial plan, bringing real-time diagnostic capability to an otherwise constrained clinical environment.
Upon examination, the POCUS revealed an abnormal image in the mid-superficial femoral vein. The clinical officer utilized the connectivity features of modern medical technology, transmitting the ultrasound images to an off-site radiologist.
The remote expert confirmed the presence of a thrombus (blood clot), diagnosing a mid-superficial femoral vein thrombus.
This finding was critical as the patient was at significant risk for severe complications, such as a pulmonary embolism, if treatment were delayed.
Instead of being discharged with the potential risk of awaiting delayed diagnostic confirmation, the patient received immediate and appropriate anticoagulant therapy. This timely intervention not only provided immediate relief but also significantly mitigated the risk of life-threatening complications.
OUR WORK IN
This case underscores the transformative role of Vascular POCUS in enhancing clinical decision-making in resource-limited settings. The ability to promptly diagnose a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a rural emergency department setting illustrates the value of POCUS training and equipment in providing rapid diagnostic insights. Consequently, POCUS equipped the clinical staff to avert possible adverse outcomes, demonstrating the critical importance of integrating POCUS into training programs for healthcare practitioners in similar contexts. This approach holds promise for improving patient outcomes, particularly in rural and resource-limited environments.
