Neonatal cardiac POCUS—a survey of academic neonatal centers in the United States

To investigate the current state of clinical practice and training regarding the use of cardiac point of care ultrasound (cPOCUS) in neonatal intensive care units.

An online survey was disseminated through the Association of Academic Directors of Neonatology to appraise clinical usage, infrastructure, and training for cPOCUS. A single response per center was obtained.

Overall survey response rate was 51% (48/94). Of respondents [40/48 (83%)] who reported having a POCUS program, 19/40 (47%) reported performing cPOCUS. In 74% of centers, <10 cPOCUS studies are performed monthly. Only 16% (3/19) of centers had standardized imaging protocols. The most common indication for cPOCUS was central line evaluation. Only 9 (19%) programs reported cPOCUS training, of whom 4 had a formalized process of ongoing competency assessment.

Although use of cPOCUS is increasing, program infrastructure and governance, training, and evaluation vary markedly between institutions and are missing in many. There is an urgent need to develop consensus standards regarding clinical practice and training.