Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS)
We are proud to add Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) to the Primary Care Services at Avanta Clinic LLC.
POCUS Heart
POCUS Lung
Dr. Bansal completed POCUS training conducted by American College of Physicians (ACP) and will be performing POCUS exams when clinically indicated.
POCUS is used to augment the traditional physical exam is much better at detecting abnormalities, confirming/refuting a diagnosis and helping answer clinical questions in the office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is POCUS similar to ultrasound conducted by a dedicated radiology center?
POCUS is a limited evaluation using an ultrasound machine to answer specific clinical questions based on symptoms. Common questions that can be answered using POCUS include:
Do I have pneumonia?
Is tingling & numbness in my fingers due to carpal tunnel syndrome?
What is the “bump” on my skin?
I fell and have chest pain. Do I have a rib fracture?
I was running and now have pain in my achilles tendon. Did I rupture it?
I have pain in the sole of my feet. Do I have plantar fasciitis?
Radiology centers conduct a more comprehensive ultrasound exam and we will continue to order traditional imaging for appropriate clinical indications.
How long does it take to conduct a POCUS exam?
The exam generally takes a few min. Total time depends on the clinical indication and body area being examined using ultrasound.
Will I get a separate report for the POCUS exam?
The ultrasound report will be documented in the office visit note under the physical exam section (as POCUS augments the traditional physical exam).
If you want to view the images, we can generate a de-identified web link to the specific exam.
Is POCUS covered by my insurance? Will I be billed separately for POCUS?
POCUS is like any other test that is performed in the office (e.g. EKG). Insurance coverage depends on your plan and you may receive a separate bill for POCUS. Generally the cost of POCUS is lower than ultrasound done at a radiology center (as POCUS is a limited exam).