Perspectives in Hospital Medicine
Hospital Medicine Point of Care Ultrasound Credentialing: An Example Protocol
Benji K. Mathews MD,
Michael Zwank MD, RDMS,
Corresponding Author
Benji K. Mathews MD
Department of Hospital Medicine, HealthPartners, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Address for correspondence and reprint requests: Benji K. Mathews, MD, FACP, CLHM Department of Hospital Medicine, HealthPartners, Department of Hospital Medicine, Regions Hospital, 640 Jackson Street, Mail Stop 11109E, St. Paul, MN 55101; Telephone: 651-254-9555; Fax: 651-254-9673; E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorMichael Zwank MD, RDMS
University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Department of Emergency Medicine, Regions Hospital, St. Paul, Minnesota
Search for more papers by this authorBenji K. Mathews MD,
Michael Zwank MD, RDMS,
Corresponding Author
Benji K. Mathews MD
Department of Hospital Medicine, HealthPartners, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Address for correspondence and reprint requests: Benji K. Mathews, MD, FACP, CLHM Department of Hospital Medicine, HealthPartners, Department of Hospital Medicine, Regions Hospital, 640 Jackson Street, Mail Stop 11109E, St. Paul, MN 55101; Telephone: 651-254-9555; Fax: 651-254-9673; E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorMichael Zwank MD, RDMS
University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Department of Emergency Medicine, Regions Hospital, St. Paul, Minnesota
Search for more papers by this authorAdditional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article.
Abstract
Though the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has increased over the last decade, formal hospital credentialing for POCUS may still be a challenge for hospitalists. This document details the Hospital Medicine Department Ultrasound Credentialing Policy from Regions Hospital, which is part of the HealthPartners organization in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
National organizations from internal medicine and hospital medicine (HM) have not published recommended guidelines for POCUS credentialing. Revised guidelines for POCUS have been published by the American College of Emergency Physicians, though these are not likely intended to guide hospitalists when working with credentialing committees and medical boards.
This document describes the scope of ultrasound in HM and our training, credentialing, and quality assurance program. This report is intended to be used as a guide for hospitalists as they work with their own credentialing committees and will require modification for each institution. However, the overall process described here should assist in the establishment of POCUS at various institutions.
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