This study aims to evaluate the clinical impact of the systematic implementation of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in the management of patients with septic shock in the intensive care unit (ICU). Septic shock is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and its management requires timely and accurate hemodynamic assessment. Traditional monitoring methods have limitations in evaluating cardiac function, fluid responsiveness, and tissue perfusion. POCUS provides real-time, bedside, non-invasive assessment that may improve clinical decision-making. This is a retrospective, single-center cohort study comparing two time periods: a pre-implementation cohort (2016-2019) and a post-implementation cohort (2022-2025), excluding the COVID-19 pandemic period. The primary objective is to assess whether the implementation of POCUS is associated with an improvement in early organ dysfunction, measured as the change in SOFA score at 48 hours (delta SOFA). Secondary outcomes include mortality at 28, 60, and 90 days, incidence of acute kidney injury, duration of organ support therapies, and length of ICU and hospital stay.
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Change in SOFA score at 48 hours (Delta SOFA)
Timeframe: Baseline (ICU admission) and 48 hours after ICU admission