Kiran Kumar G
Continental Hospitals, <br> India
Abstract Title: Transforming Critical Care: The Impact of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs)
Biography:
Dr. Kiran Kumar G is a Pediatric Intensivist and Healthcare Strategist at Continental Hospital, Hyderabad. With over 15 years of experience in pediatric critical care, he is recognized for integrating innovation and bedside ultrasound into routine PICU workflows. A passionate educator and national speaker, he advocates for POCUS training across India and works on capacity-building programs for pediatric emergency care.
Research Interest:
Transforming Critical Care: The Impact of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs)
Abstract:
Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) has revolutionized bedside diagnostics and clinical decision-making in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs), offering a real-time, radiation-free, and repeatable modality for critically ill children. In recent years, POCUS has become an indispensable extension of the pediatric intensives’ clinical examination, aiding in the assessment of hemodynamic instability, respiratory distress, and guiding life-saving procedures.
Recent guidelines from organizations such as the American College of Critical Care Medicine (ACCM), European Society of Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (ESPNIC), and Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) emphasize the integration of POCUS for rapid evaluation and intervention in pediatric emergencies. From lung ultrasound for diagnosing pneumonia, effusions, or pneumothorax to targeted cardiac scans for volume status and contractility, POCUS enhances precision in critical care.
Moreover, POCUS supports procedural safety, including vascular access, pleural taps, pericardiocentesis, reducing iatrogenic complications and improving outcomes. The BLUE, FALL, and RUSH protocols adapted for pediatrics further illustrate structured approaches for common PICU challenges.
Despite its proven utility, barriers such as training, standardization, and credentialing remain. However, structured POCUS training programs and credentialing pathways are increasingly being adopted globally to ensure safety and proficiency.
This presentation will review the evidence-based impact of POCUS in PICUs, highlight practical case applications, and suggest a roadmap for widespread integration in pediatric critical care settings.