Association between point‐of‐care ultrasonography use and requests for formal imaging studies in hospital‐based internal medicine : A retrospective cohort study

Article Article scientifique Article Association between point‐of‐care ultrasonography use and requests for formal imaging studies in hospital‐based internal medicine : A retrospective cohort study eng 2026-09-03 author Christe Chiara Romualda 0009-0006-2618-6263 Department of Anesthesiology, Fribourg Hospital, Fribourg, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 419415 author De Valence De Minardiere Timothee 0000-0001-9621-2638 Division of Anesthesiology, Department of Acute Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.,Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Acute Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland. 669559 author Bex Stijn Frans D Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Acute Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.,Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland. 848655 Stijn Bex author Juillerat André 0009-0006-2000-0085 Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.,Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Groupement Hospitalier de l'Ouest Lémanique, Nyon, Switzerland. 671488 author Cottet Philippe Claude 0000-0001-6029-8548 Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Acute Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.,Hirslanden Clinique La Colline, Geneva, Switzerland. 106671 author Marti Christophe Alberic Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland. 97449 Département de médecine (DEMED) author Reny Jean-Luc 0000-0002-7528-7363 Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland. 704339 Département de médecine (DEMED) author Grosgurin Olivier Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Acute Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.,Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland. 503200 Département de médecine (DEMED) author Leidi Antonio Siro Gabriele 0000-0002-3934-0104 Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Acute Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.,Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland. 910614 10.1002/jhm.70445 42693692 1553-5592 https://shmpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jhm.70445 Background: Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) has expanded rapidly among hospitalists. However, its impact on the use of additional formal investigations and healthcare costs remains unclear. This study aimed to describe the evolution of POCUS use within a university hospital general internal medicine department and assess its association with requests for formal radiological and cardiological investigations. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study including all POCUS exams archived in the hospital's picture archiving system performed by hospital-based internists at the Geneva University Hospitals (Geneva, Switzerland) between January 2020 and December 2025. The association between POCUS use and the number of formal radiological and cardiological investigations requested was assessed through a multivariable linear regression. Results: During the study period, the annual number of POCUS exams increased substantially, with a 402.5% rise between 2020 and 2025. Lung ultrasonography was the most frequently performed exam (44%), followed by focused echocardiography (36%) and abdominal or vascular ultrasonography (20%). The increase in POCUS activity was associated with a parallel reduction in radiological ultrasonography and echocardiography. This result, while significant, was modest. After adjustment for the number of hospitalizations and CT scan requests, POCUS use was independently associated with decreased reliance on radiological ultrasonography (β = -0.10, 95% CI -0.15 to -0.05, p < .001). Conclusions: The use of POCUS in internal medicine has steadily increased over the past 5 years and appears to provide significant diagnostic value. Its growing adoption may contribute to reduced reliance on additional formal investigations, with potential implications for healthcare cost containment. Dewey 616 Dewey 617 63 Département d'anesthésiologie, pharmacologie, soins intensifs et urgences 229 56 Département de médecine 221 false 11 Plaquettes et antithrombotiques 13 319 Groupe Perrier Arnaud (Médecine interne générale, de réhabilitation et de gériatrie) 585 Journal of hospital medicine 432b4e2c-03ef-4f10-a229-827d11458ccf Article (Published version) Restricted file.pdf 1631155 application/pdf 3b0095a0c93362372a8abb73f3d920a81ddcafb669efc19bf80818aca0e43d04 restrictedAccess Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département d'anesthésiologie, pharmacologie, soins intensifs et urgences Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de médecine

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Association between point‐of‐care ultrasonography use and requests for formal imaging studies in hospital‐based internal medicine : A retrospective cohort study	Journal of hospital medicine			2026	5	0

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Christe, Chiara Romualda