When to incorporate point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) into the initial assessment of acutely ill patients: a pilot crossover study to compare 2 POCUS-assisted simulation protocols

Flowcharts Showing the Sequential and Parallel POCUS Protocols. a, In the sequential protocol, the ABCDE (airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure [and vasculature*]) evaluations are completed, and then the system-specific POCUS examinations are performed. b, In the parallel protocol, the airway and breathing assessments are completed, followed by the thoracic POCUS; then the circulation assessment, followed by cardiac POCUS; then the disability and exposure assessments, followed by the abdominal POCUS and vasculature* (venous) POCUS. POCUS indicates point-of-care ultrasound. * indicates addition to the ABCDE evaluatio