Purpose: The purpose of this document is to provide a clinical reference framework that includes formative, ethical and legal recommendations for the effective implementation of pleuropulmonary ultrasound in physiotherapy practice in Chile.
Methods: A manual with clear and substantiated clinical guidelines based on a literature review, structured and systematic a manual with clear and well-founded clinical guidelines based on a structured and systematic literature review, in addition to a peer review, was developed to strengthen the theoretical basis of the research. The literature review was performed according to PRISMA quality standards. An external reviewer selected and evaluated the most recent studies. The inclusion criteria were all those studies from 2019 to date, that were in Spanish or English and that were articles of the type of Meta-Analysis, Randomized Controlled Trial, Systematic Review or Review and that were available in full text. The exclusion criteria were all articles that were not performed on humans. The search was performed in two Medline databases (PubMed interface) - LILACS (Regional Portal of the BVS). The search strategy was: "Pleuropulmonary ultrasound" OR "pulmonary ultrasound".
Results: 13 articles published in the last 5 years were selected.
Weekly meetings were held with all team members to discuss and analyze the information to make an objective recommendation from the perspective of physiotherapists in Chile.
A format was created suggesting the target audience, explaining what pleuropulmonary ultrasound is, how to perform the exam, and emphasizing different pathologies with the different artifacts that can be found in a patient. In addition, evidence is provided on the clinical utility of pleuropulmonary ultrasound, which facilitates training for proper interpretation and effective recording of examinations. Finally, the ethical and legal situation of performing this procedure in our country is explained, and training recommendations are provided.
Conclusion: The development of this Clinical Guidance Manual for pleuropulmonary ultrasound in acute care physiotherapy provides a foundational reference for physiotherapists in Chile, facilitating its integration into clinical practice. The document consolidates evidence-based recommendations, structured guidelines, and ethical and legal considerations to ensure safe, effective, and standardized use of pleuropulmonary ultrasound. Future work should focus on validating the practical application of these guidelines in diverse clinical settings.
Implication: The results provide a framework for integrating pleuropulmonary ultrasound into the clinical decision-making process. By improving diagnostic accuracy and monitoring of respiratory conditions, along with the ethical and legal guidelines outlined in the manual, the procedure can be ensured to be carried out responsibly. This manual also has implications for physiotherapy education, emphasizing the need for specific training programs and competency evaluations to ensure that clinicians can effectively implement pleuropulmonary ultrasound in their practice. Furthermore, policymakers may reference this manual when developing regulations and standards for physiotherapists utilizing this technique in acute care.
ultrasound
Lung
