Impact of Hospital Level and Years of Application on the Use and Prognosis of Critical Care Ultrasound: A Survey of 212 Hospitals

Background In critical care, rapid and accurate clinical assessment is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Critical Care Ultrasound (CCUS) can provide essential, real-time bedside evaluation. However, the effectiveness of CCUS application can be influenced by factors such as the level of the medical institution, operator experience, and training resources. This study aims to investigate the correlation between CCUS application and prognostic decision-making in regional medical institutions in China. Methods An online questionnaire survey was conducted through Wenjuanxing (a Chinese survey platform) to gather information about the current application of CCUS. Results The survey included 1,014 participants from 212 institutions. The distribution of respondents included 42.52% from tertiary Grade A hospitals, 35.05% from tertiary Grade B hospitals, and 22.43% from secondary hospitals. The application rates of CCUS varied significantly among different diseases, with some conditions showing higher utilization than others. Higher-tier hospitals exhibited higher CCUS application rates and greater reductions in mortality rates compared to lower-tier hospitals. A strong positive correlation between CCUS use and mortality improvement was observed in tertiary Grade A hospitals, but this correlation was weaker in tertiary Grade B hospitals, particularly for shock and traumatic brain injury. Both longer duration of use and higher application rates were associated with greater mortality improvement and more frequent changes in diagnostic decisions. Common challenges included insufficient personnel, equipment shortages, and limited training. Over 90% of hospitals reported a need for CCUS training, with demand decreasing as user experience increased. Conclusion CCUS application is increasing and significantly improves outcomes for various diseases. The improvement in mortality rates correlates with both the application rate and the experience of the users. The application of CCUS varies across diseases, and issues related to misjudgment and ineffective information can be addressed through enhanced experience and training. Trial registration ChiCTR2200061952 (Registration Date: 2022/07/13)