Do you suggest using a vascular probe to assess the superficial vasculature prior to performing a bedside procedure such as paracentesis, thoracentesis, lumbar puncture, etc.?

In our practice, we routinely use POCUS to assess the superficial vasculature before paracentesis and thoracentesis. Identifying vessels with POCUS is feasible, rapid, and may lead to a reduction in bleeding complications.^1-6 For lumbar puncture, we use POCUS for site marking but not for vasculature...

Yes - this is now standard of care for paracentesis and thoracentesis, and we have had a couple of bleeding complications when it was not used, and then a vessel was noted on POCUS after the fact. So it really should be incorporated into standard practice and taught such that it's done consistently....

We don’t use vascular probe generally.