Feasibility study of ICU nurses screening the causes of dyspnea in severe patients by using pulmonary ultrasound / 中国实用护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To evaluate the feasibility of ICU nurse-performed lung ultrasound in screening the reason of dyspnea in ICU patients, and to explore the effect on nursing decisions.@*Methods@#ICU nurses trained on lung ultrasound with 16 hours performed point-of-care lung ultrasound in patient with acute respiratory failure to assess the condition of the patient′s lungs and screen for pleural effusion, atelectasis/lung consolidation. Etc; Repeated examinations by ICU physicians accredited by the International Critical Ultrasound Alliance to evaluate the accuracy of ICU nurse interpretation.@*Results@#A total of 510 lung ultrasonographic examinations were performed in 51 patients. Compared with physicians, ICU nurses correctly interpreted 472 ultrasound signs, accounting for 92.53%. ICU nurses found that the sensitivity of the pleural effusion was 86.7%, the specificity was 95.2%, and the diagnostic accuracy rate was 90.2%, and Youden index was 81.9%. The ultrasonography revealed a sensitivity of 92.1% for atelectic/pulmonary consolidation and a specificity of 92.3.%, the diagnostic accuracy rate was 92.2% and Youden index was 84.4%.@*Conclusion@#ICU nurses who have undergone standardized training can correctly interpret lung ultrasound signs and have good diagnostic value for screening of pleural effusions and atelectasis/lung consolidation; they provide the basis for optimization of chest physiotherapy programs.