POCUS Image Archiving in Emergency Medicine: A Systematic Review of Clinical and Financial Impacts.
Aline Lopes Moraes, Matheus de Lima Ruffini, Guilherme Ribeiro Garcia et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review assessed clinical, operational, and financial outcomes of archiving point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) images in electronic health records in emergency departments. Of 225 records identified, 11 studies reporting original data met the inclusion criteria. Across these studies, structured archiving was associated with more complete documentation, improved image quality and access to prior examinations, and better clinical review processes. Automated or semi-automated workflows were also associated with improved compliance and resource management, while reported billing compliance, reimbursement, and institutional revenue increased after workflow integration. The review did not report a pooled effect estimate.
Key findings
- Eleven studies met inclusion criteria from 225 records identified.
- Structured archiving improved documentation completeness, image quality, access to prior examinations, and clinical review processes.
- Automated or semi-automated workflows were associated with improved compliance, service organization, and resource management.
- Studies reported increased billing compliance, reimbursement, and institutional revenue after workflow integration.
Why it matters
POCUS image archiving may extend the value of bedside imaging by supporting documentation, review, and operational workflows, with potential financial benefits. These findings highlight that image capture alone may not deliver the full operational value of POCUS; integration into health records and organized workflows may matter. The evidence remains heterogeneous, so the reported benefits should be interpreted cautiously.
What to keep in mind
The review reports substantial heterogeneity and limitations in study design, confounding, and generalizability.