.svg){kind=small}
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can transform patient care across health systems—from faster diagnostics to improved monitoring of non-acute conditions.[1] Yet, many individual practices often struggle to integrate the technology—so how can you scale usage across multiple sites simultaneously?
This article provides a roadmap to scale your POCUS program across a multi-site health system. With the right combination of systematic implementation and cloud-connected handheld ultrasound, it will enable you to accelerate adoption and transform patient care in 2026.
Our experience suggests four factors make introducing POCUS difficult at scale:
However, these bottlenecks are not inevitable.
The following steps will help you overcome the challenges outlined above, and introduce POCUS across the entire health system:
Successful multi-site programs start with clear, system-wide direction. Without central coordination, each facility will develop its own approach, recreating the fragmentation you're trying to avoid.
- Create a concise, system-widePOCUS policy that covers device usage, credentialing requirements, and documentation standards
- Designate clinical champions or form a POCUS committee with representatives from each major site
- Centralize procurement and inventory management to ensure every site uses approved, interoperable devices
- Establish regular review cycles to assess program progress, address implementation challenges, and adjust strategy based on frontline feedback
Consistent image acquisition and analysis are essential to unlock the full value of imaging. But with great variability in POCUS training and experience across sites, health systems must introduce protocols and processes that help even less-well-prepared sites to make use of the technology.
- Develop standardized protocols foreach common exam type
- Leverage advanced presets to improve image quality and consistency
- Implement monthly quality audits by reviewing sample studies from each site
- Create visual reference guides showing optimal image examples for each exam type
- Use peer review processes where experienced scanners at one site can remotely review and provide feedback on images from other locations
Roughly 20% of clinicians cite data security and privacy as barriers to POCUS adoption.[2] These problems grow more complex across system-wide programs, especially if you want to enable cross-site collaboration. But with the right infrastructure and devices, these challenges can be overcome.
- Adopt cloud-connected ultrasound devices that automatically sync data to centralized storage
- Ensure compatibility with existing PACS, EMR, and credentialing systems
- Enable secure, role-based access so that clinicians and administrators can easily review and share studies
Education is the foundation of any successful POCUS program, but traditional training models don't scale efficiently across large health systems. A blended approach combining virtual learning, hands-on practice, and structured competency verification reaches more clinicians without multiplying costs.
- Develop tiered training programs that align with clinician roles (e.g., hospitalists, residents, emergency staff)
- Use virtual learning modules and case-based assessments to supplement in-person sessions
- Create a system-wide credentialing process that tracks clinician progress and ensures ongoing competency
- Encourage peer-to-peer learning and regional champions to maintain engagement
- Use analytics to identify usage trends and training needs across the organization
Even clinicians with proven POCUS skills may resist using the technology within their daily workflows. Friction, such as cumbersome devices or unclear user interfaces, will dramatically reduce adoption. Health systems must therefore ensure their chosen devices make life easy for users.
- Deploy handheld, wireless devices that can move seamlessly between departments and locations
- Use companion apps that simplify image capture, sharing, and reporting
- Provide clinicians with instant access to their studies from any site, without needing specialized equipment or complex setup
Vave offers simple, portable, and affordable POCUS that can be introduced across complex health systems without the usual challenges:
- Improve POCUS skills across all sites with built-in training programs
- Enable collaboration and asynchronous practice with compliant image sharing
- Access expert support to help integrate the technology within your workflows
Want to scalePOCUS adoption across your system?
[1] https://www.vavehealth.com/blog/7-kinds-of-non-acute-conditions-portable-ultrasound-can-detect
[2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12229359/
.svg)
.svg)
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can transform patient care across health systems—from faster diagnostics to improved monitoring of non-acute conditions.[1] Yet, many individual practices often struggle to integrate the technology—so how can you scale usage across multiple sites simultaneously?
This article provides a roadmap to scale your POCUS program across a multi-site health system. With the right combination of systematic implementation and cloud-connected handheld ultrasound, it will enable you to accelerate adoption and transform patient care in 2026.
Our experience suggests four factors make introducing POCUS difficult at scale:
However, these bottlenecks are not inevitable.
The following steps will help you overcome the challenges outlined above, and introduce POCUS across the entire health system:
Successful multi-site programs start with clear, system-wide direction. Without central coordination, each facility will develop its own approach, recreating the fragmentation you're trying to avoid.
- Create a concise, system-widePOCUS policy that covers device usage, credentialing requirements, and documentation standards
- Designate clinical champions or form a POCUS committee with representatives from each major site
- Centralize procurement and inventory management to ensure every site uses approved, interoperable devices
- Establish regular review cycles to assess program progress, address implementation challenges, and adjust strategy based on frontline feedback
Consistent image acquisition and analysis are essential to unlock the full value of imaging. But with great variability in POCUS training and experience across sites, health systems must introduce protocols and processes that help even less-well-prepared sites to make use of the technology.
- Develop standardized protocols foreach common exam type
- Leverage advanced presets to improve image quality and consistency
- Implement monthly quality audits by reviewing sample studies from each site
- Create visual reference guides showing optimal image examples for each exam type
- Use peer review processes where experienced scanners at one site can remotely review and provide feedback on images from other locations
Roughly 20% of clinicians cite data security and privacy as barriers to POCUS adoption.[2] These problems grow more complex across system-wide programs, especially if you want to enable cross-site collaboration. But with the right infrastructure and devices, these challenges can be overcome.
- Adopt cloud-connected ultrasound devices that automatically sync data to centralized storage
- Ensure compatibility with existing PACS, EMR, and credentialing systems
- Enable secure, role-based access so that clinicians and administrators can easily review and share studies
Education is the foundation of any successful POCUS program, but traditional training models don't scale efficiently across large health systems. A blended approach combining virtual learning, hands-on practice, and structured competency verification reaches more clinicians without multiplying costs.
- Develop tiered training programs that align with clinician roles (e.g., hospitalists, residents, emergency staff)
- Use virtual learning modules and case-based assessments to supplement in-person sessions
- Create a system-wide credentialing process that tracks clinician progress and ensures ongoing competency
- Encourage peer-to-peer learning and regional champions to maintain engagement
- Use analytics to identify usage trends and training needs across the organization
Even clinicians with proven POCUS skills may resist using the technology within their daily workflows. Friction, such as cumbersome devices or unclear user interfaces, will dramatically reduce adoption. Health systems must therefore ensure their chosen devices make life easy for users.
- Deploy handheld, wireless devices that can move seamlessly between departments and locations
- Use companion apps that simplify image capture, sharing, and reporting
- Provide clinicians with instant access to their studies from any site, without needing specialized equipment or complex setup
Vave offers simple, portable, and affordable POCUS that can be introduced across complex health systems without the usual challenges:
- Improve POCUS skills across all sites with built-in training programs
- Enable collaboration and asynchronous practice with compliant image sharing
- Access expert support to help integrate the technology within your workflows
Want to scalePOCUS adoption across your system?
[1] https://www.vavehealth.com/blog/7-kinds-of-non-acute-conditions-portable-ultrasound-can-detect
[2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12229359/
.webp){kind=icon}
With no hidden fees or other unwelcome surprises, Vave offers high-quality imaging at the best price.
