EP42. Busting through the myths and misconceptions of integrating POCUS in Family and Internal Medicine

Do you like seeing your patients happy? Do you like additional revenue? Do you like to be able to make quick and informed medical decisions for your patients? Does it please you to reduce the risk of complication rates when performing injections? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is for you!

POCUS is a vital tool that has been used for decades in the emergency medicine / critical care setting for bedside diagnosis. With advancements in technology driving down the size of the systems, as well as price, we are now at a point where Family and Internal Medicine practices can effectively and affordably integrate bedside ultrasound into their workflow, improving time to diagnosis and patient satisfaction. 

Over the past year while at conferences and tradeshows, we have heard some recurring comments about why practitioners have not yet integrated ultrasound into their practices. We would like to shine some light on these misconceptions for practices not currently reaping the benefits of in-house ultrasound. Join us in The Sonography Lounge for this great episode where we break through the common myths and misconceptions of POCUS and discuss the benefits and tactics of integrating it into your practice. Below are just a few highlights of what will be discussed in this episode:

• POCUS is reimbursable, for both Diagnostic AND interventional use
• POCUS can deliver immediate diagnostic answers to improve patient rapport and decrease time to treatment.
• Ultrasound Systems are portable, with battery powered options available 
• Some ultrasound systems have AI integrated to aid in diagnostics and labeling
• POCUS can be performed by not only the practice physician(s) but also trained staff such as NP's and PA's, Etc. 
• POCUS can be an integral part in adding revenue streams for procedures requiring guidance such as prolotherapy, PRP, adipose derived stem cells, etc (image documentation of a needle is reimbursable) 
• POCUS can improve your patients health through regular screenings while also adding an additional revenue stream to your practice

Ultrasound Reimbursement / CPT Codes:

The information needed to be fully reimbursed for POCUS is easily found with an internet search. The AAFP has a great resource, linked below:

https://www.aafp.org/pubs/fpm/issues/2020/1100/p33.html

Most ultrasound equipment companies are also doing a great job at keeping up to date on the current reimbursement guidelines and codes. A few are linked below for easy reference:

Clarius Reimbursement Guides

Kosmos (EchoNous) Reimbursement Guide

Fujifilm Sonosite Reimbursement Guides

Philips Ultrasound Reimbursement Guides

Butterfly Reimbursement Guide

 

The Sonography Lounge: https://thesonographylounge.podbean.com/

 

Gulfcoast Ultrasound Institute (Training materials and programs): www.gcus.com

Upcoming POCUS Hands-On Courses

POCUS Online Courses

Private Courses: 1-2 People 

Custom Group Training: (Get your whole team trained at your facility)

 

Certification Agencies:

American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM): https://www.abem.org/public

Sonographer / Physician: American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS): www.ardms.org

Physicians: Alliance for Physician Certification & Advancement (APCA): www.APCA.org

Point of Care Healthcare Providers: Point of Care Certification Academy (POCUS): www.pocus.org

Sonographer / Physician: Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI): www.cci-online.org

 

Find an accredited long term Ultrasound Program: https://www.caahep.org/Students/Find-a-Program.aspx