POCUS
Medical abbreviation · Medical Imaging
| Stands for | Point-of-care ultrasound |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
POCUS stands for Point-of-care ultrasound, a medical imaging abbreviation.
Bedside ultrasound performed and interpreted by the treating clinician, such as an emergency physician, intensivist or anesthesiologist, to answer focused questions in real time. Typical uses include detecting free fluid after trauma, pericardial effusion and pneumothorax, judging heart function and volume status, and guiding IV lines and nerve blocks.
Example: POCUS: B-lines in all lung zones and a plethoric IVC; diuresis started.
Usage notes
Pronounced "POE-cus". The FAST exam for trauma is one established POCUS protocol. Emergency medicine residencies require ultrasound training, and handheld probes that connect to phones have spread POCUS into primary care and rural settings. Findings should be documented and images saved like any other study.
Related abbreviations
More medical imaging abbreviations
- OPG – Orthopantomogram
- PA – Posteroanterior
- PACS – Picture archiving and communication system
- PET – Positron emission tomography
- PET-CT – Positron emission tomography-computed tomography
- PI-RADS – Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System
- SPECT – Single-photon emission computed tomography
- STIR – Short tau inversion recovery
- SUV – Standardized uptake value
- Tc-99m – Technetium-99m
- TVUS – Transvaginal ultrasound
- US – Ultrasound
See all 58 medical imaging abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.