Executive SummaryA movement to create a federated global patient registry containing core data and using a standardized vocabulary for as many as 7,000 rare diseases was launched at a workshop,

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has found many relevant applications in pediatric anesthesia and critical care medicine. Specifically, the cardiac and pulmonary POCUS examinations provide a wealth of information from physical examination assistance to diagnostic evaluation and assessment of treatment response. However, as with any adjunct, potentially dangerous pitfalls exist when POCUS is performed, interpreted, and applied by the novice sonographer. Using case illustrations, we highlight the clinical application of POCUS in addition to potential dangers. Additionally, suggestions for learning POCUS, assessing competency and credentialing are reviewed. K E Y W O R D S anesthesiology, cardiac, critical care, perioperative, point-of-care ultrasound, pulmonary, ultrasound | 791 ADLER Et AL. S U PP O RTI N G I N FO R M ATI O N Additional supporting information may be found online in the Supporting Information section at the end of the article. How to cite this article: Adler AC, Brown KA, Conlin FT, Thammasitboon S, Chandrakantan A. Cardiac and lung point-of-care ultrasound in pediatric anesthesia and critical care medicine: Uses, pitfalls, and future directions to optimize pediatric care. Pediatr Anesth. 2019;29:790-798.

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly accepted in pediatric critical care medicine as a tool for guiding the evaluation and treatment of patients. POCUS is a complex skill that requires user competency to ensure accuracy, reliability, and patient safety. A robust competency-based medical education (CBME) program ensures user competency and mitigates patient safety concerns. A programmatic assessment model provides a longitudinal, holistic, and multimodal approach to teaching, assessing, and evaluating learners. The authors propose a fit-for-purpose and modifiable CBME model that is adaptable for different institutions’ resources and needs for any intended competency level. This educational model drives and supports learning, ensures competency attainment, and creates a clear pathway for POCUS education while enhancing patient care and safety.