POCUS Reduces Exposure to Ionizing Radiation

 Brooklyn, New York doctor Jason Jaramillo, MD treats patients at the private community healthcare center Medical Allied Associates. With an MD from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Dr. Jason Jaramillo has professional interests that include point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), an emerging technology that allows physicians to perform an ultrasound exam from any location.

POCUS is a portable device that can be used with a smartphone or tablet to capture high-resolution, real-time images that can be viewed in minutes. More importantly, it allows physicians to ask specific questions to make diagnoses or rule out conditions.

A safety benefit of this technology is that there is no exposure to ionizing radiation, unlike traditional ultrasounds or x-rays. Ionizing radiation is energy that removes electrons from atoms/molecules found in the air, water, and living tissue.

It occurs naturally (in low levels) and is man-made, and in high amounts, it has harmful effects on the body after being absorbed. Exposure to ionizing radiation in high amounts leads to cells dying because of the damage to DNA. Prolonged exposure might lead to skin burns, cancer, or cardiovascular conditions.