Pro tips on selecting a point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) device.
Congrats! You believe in the benefits that POCUS can offer to your patients and your practice and are finally ready to invest into a new POCUS device. Maybe it’s even your first one. But which machine should you get? Ultrasound technology is growing by leaps and bounds bringing us exciting new features and more affordable devices, but also making the process of choosing one more difficult. Below are 10 important considerations.
1. Check with IT first. If you are in a hospital system, the IT department usually has a process in place on introducing new devices into the system. US machines are connected to WIFI and could be a threat to cybersecurity. Plus, if you are considering handheld devices that work with individual providers’ gadgets, IT must be involved to make sure that the personal devices are sufficiently protected from exposing protected health information (PHI). It is also smart to involve IT early, so that they can plan on providing setup support once the purchase is made.
2. Does the Biomedical department have a strong preference? Your Biomed department might prefer to work with a certain company because they are already familiar with that company’s devices and/or like the technical support that the company provides. Why not keep things easy for everyone? They can also connect you to other departments that are using POCUS so you can collect their feedback.
3. What types of exams will you be performing? Is the device being used for ultrasound-guided IV’s and musculoskeletal scans and/or injections? You might get away with a handheld device with a high frequency linear probe if your budget is limited. If you prefer high resolution images, a machine with a bigger price tag might be warranted. Similarly, if you are looking to do more than a basic echo, you’d want to invest into a machine that has a robust cardiac package.
4. Consider the mobility and portability of the machine. If you are in the ED, a handheld device might get lost in the mix unless you are planning to always have it in your pocket and not share it with other providers. However, a handheld device might be perfect in a clinic or in inpatient setting where the space is limited, or the device needs to travel to multiple rooms and floors. Also, evaluate the footprint of the device. If you work in a crowded ED or clinic, having a device with a large footprint can be cumbersome.
5. What probes do you need? This question is answered based on what exam types you are looking to perform. In general, it is a good idea to start with at least a high frequency linear probe and a lower frequency phased-array probe. If you’d like a very portable device, consider Butterfly IQ or GE Vscan as these handheld devices have high and low frequency scanning options in one probe.
6. How durable is the device and what kind of warranty does it come with? This could be especially important if the device will be used in the ED or in other austere environments. Is the device waterproof? Are there flimsy pieces that you can already imagine breaking? Some reps drop the probe (on purpose!) each time they demo a unit to demonstrate the durability. Make sure to find out what the warranty covers (probe replacements, hardware/software upgrades) and for how long.
7. Do you need learning/interpretation assistance? If you have many novice sonographers, devices with AI technology, teaching modules, and/or remote live support could be a huge bonus and are worth an extra expense.
8. Does the device have all the features that you need? Cardiac package, spectral Doppler, M-mode, needle-guidance, etc.
9. What is your budget? Handheld devices come with a smaller price tag, but you might need to compromise on the resolution and certain features (some lack of spectral Doppler, M-mode option, etc.). POCUS devices range from $2K to upward of $80K depending on the features and probes you need. If budget is an issue, you can also consider leasing. Remember, most POCUS programs do pay for themselves. If you are planning to properly archive, document and bill for POCUS exams, you can usually recoup any upfront costs within a year.
10. Demo before you buy. This will allow you to see first-hand how the machine works and what its capabilities are. It’s also a good way to make sure that the machine is compatible with your existing equipment.
Choosing a POCUS machine can be an intimidating task but following the above tips will help you make the right decision for your facility. We suggest making a comparison table of 3 to 6 devices to make sure you evaluate the contenders on all the important points. Make sure you do your research and get a demo to ensure that you purchase the best machine for your needs.