The Pediatric Critical Care Ultrasound Initiative

Grant Application

Chris Horvat, MD, Megan Browning, MD, Robert Newmyer, MD, and Rajesh Aneja, MD, of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

 

Proposed Innovation

Point of care ultrasound is used to diagnose life-threatening conditions, guide invasive procedures, and treat patients. It’s an invaluable and critical tool in fast-paced settings where seconds can be the difference between good and bad outcomes. While it has improved patient safety and outcomes in emergency medicine and adult critical care, the use of ultrasound in pediatric critical care is relatively new.

Through this grant, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC will purchase new ultrasound technology, namely a phased array probe and cardiac imaging package, that will greatly expand capabilities to include heart, lung, and abdominal imaging of pediatric patients beyond the previous application of ultrasound for vascular access.

 

Improvements in Action

In addition to expanding capabilities in the PICU, faculty and fellows will undergo formal training in pediatric critical care ultrasound imaging through the Society of Critical Care Medicine. A training curriculum also will be established at Children’s Hospital to ensure the technology is used to its full potential in patient care.

 

Results — In Progress

With the proper ultrasound tools and specialized training, doctors can quickly identify and treat collapsed lungs, assess blood volume and heart function in septic shock, and perform invasive procedures such as chest tube insertions more safely and with less pain. The project will be used to standardize approaches to frequently performed procedures. Regular review of diagnostic images and videos will inform feedback to physicians, improve technical expertise, and improve quality.