SEX & GENDER IN EM
SAEM PULSE | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2024
Addressing Sex-Based Disparities in Point-of-Care Ultrasound Utilization in Emergency Medicine
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By Brandon Wubben, MD, on behalf of the SAEM Sex and Gender in Emergency Medicine Interest Group In the emergency ultrasound community, it is widely recognized that point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has been a force for good in emergency care. POCUS enhances patient outcomes by facilitating faster diagnoses and treatments for emergent conditions, such as cardiac tamponade and ectopic pregnancy. While the advantages of POCUS are often highlighted, it is crucial to consider any unintended consequences that may arise with the implementation of new
technology, particularly the potential for exacerbating existing disparities. Guided by literature on inequities in radiology-performed imaging, there are concerns regarding the allocation of POCUS. Research indicates that female patients are generally less likely to receive imaging in the emergency department, raising the question of whether this pattern extends to POCUS. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of data on how clinicians determine which patients
receive POCUS in the emergency department. To begin addressing this gap, a retrospective pilot study was conducted, and the results were presented at the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine’s Annual Meeting. The study revealed that female patients — whether diagnosed with cardiac or renal conditions or presenting as trauma alerts — had lower odds of receiving POCUS in the emergency department compared to male patients. Even when focusing