Point-of-Care Ultrasound Needs Assessment in a Pediatric Acute Care Setting in Malawi

Background: Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), a referral hospital in the capital city of Lilongwe, Malawi, admits up to 300 pediatric patients per day. One challenge to clinicians evaluating acutely ill children is inconsistent access to radiographic imaging and interpretation, lab studies, and specialty consultation when formulating a diagnosis and treatment plan. Identifying tools that can assist clinicians with timely diagnosis and management of pediatric patients is highly important and improves outcomes. Point-of-care ultrasound, or POCUS, is defined as focused ultrasonography …