Empirical Evaluation of the Diagnostic Utility of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Emergency Departments at Secondary Hospitals in Niger State, North Central Nigeria

Point-of-care ultrasound performed by emergency physicians and trained radiographers in the emergency department offers rapid bedside assessment for haemoperitoneum, pneumothorax, cardiac function, and deep vein thrombosis without requiring patient transfer to a radiology department. The diagnostic utility and clinical impact of emergency department POCUS has not been empirically evaluated at secondary hospitals in North Central Nigeria, where POCUS deployment is in early stages. This study empirically evaluates the diagnostic utility of POCUS in emergency departments at secondary hospitals in Niger State. A prospective observational design is applied at six secondary hospitals in Minna and Kontagora over a six-month period, enrolling 320 consecutive emergency patients for whom POCUS examination was performed. POCUS findings are compared against definitive diagnoses from subsequent CT, formal radiology ultrasound, operative findings, or clinical follow-up as the reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and clinical management impact of POCUS are calculated in SPSS. Available emergency POCUS literature from North Central Nigeria identifies FAST ultrasound for abdominal trauma as the most evidence-supported POCUS application, with cardiac POCUS for haemodynamic assessment being the most frequently requested emerging application. The ACEP POCUS guidelines and SEMES emergency ultrasound standards provide the diagnostic reference framework. Findings are expected to demonstrate high FAST sensitivity alongside lower cardiac POCUS specificity attributable to training limitations. Recommendations address structured POCUS training for emergency radiographers, competency certification, and quality assurance monitoring at Niger State secondary hospitals. Keywords: point-of-care ultrasound, emergency department, diagnostic utility, Niger State, North Central Nigeria.