Abstract

Introduction: The study aim was to identify the knowledge and awareness about Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) and expectations of patients’ relatives regarding the first imaging method performed on patients in Emergency Departments (EDs).
Materials and Method: This prospective, cross-sectional, random survey study was approved by our University Ethics Committee.
A paper based questionnaire requiring chosen answers in multi choices about POCUS features was given to relatives of patients in 15 EDs.
The suitability of the data structure for factor analysis was determined by using the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) and the Bartlett Sphericity Test. The KMO was 0.94. The Bartlett Sphericity Test resulted in a chi-square value of 2408.9 (p = 0.0001).
The SPSS 23.0 software package was used for statistical analysis of the data.
Results: A total of 363 completed questionnaires were studied. The major findings were that the first imaging method - should be performed as quickly as possible by the ED physician (57.9%, n = 210), be performed at bedside (49.6%, n = 180), be harmless and risk-free (55.9%, n = 203), differentiate -the first clinical diagnosis (53.7%,n=195) n = 195), and improve ED patient survival (64.2%, n = 233).
Conclusions: The patients’ relatives could not discriminate between the main features of POCUS and those of other ED imaging methods or were unaware of their rights regarding its use.

Key words: Point of care ultrasonography, emergency department, patient’s relative