Abstract
Early integration of palliative care for patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) significantly improves symptom control, quality of life, and reduces healthcare costs. Despite well-developed palliative care services in Romania, timely access to multidisciplinary care remains challenging, particularly in outpatient settings and nursing homes. Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool in managing malignant pleural effusions within various clinical settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, home care, and nursing homes. Its diagnostic advantages include high accuracy in identifying small effusions and differentiating malignant from benign conditions. Therapeutically, POCUS significantly enhances the safety and effectiveness of procedures such as thoracentesis, reducing complications and the need for hospital transfers.
This review highlights how POCUS aligns with key palliative care principles by alleviating patient burden and enhancing comfort. We advocate for its adoption as standard practice in both inpatient and outpatient palliative care, supported by targeted training and standardized protocols. Further studies should assess the long-term clinical benefits and economic implications of routine POCUS use in palliative care.