Background/Objectives: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly used in intensive care units (ICUs) as a rapid bedside diagnostic tool supporting timely clinical assessment. The impact of nurse-performed POCUS on clinical management, procedural performance, and professional practice in adult ICUs has not yet been systematically synthesized. This review aimed to evaluate the integration of nurse-performed POCUS into nursing care and its effects on technical, decision-making, and professional outcomes. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 and the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched without time restrictions. Original studies were included if they involved adult ICU patients and evaluated POCUS performed by nurses, reporting clinical, procedural, or professional outcomes. Methodological quality was assessed using JBI and MMAT checklists according to study design. Results: Eleven studies were included. The results were synthesized into four primary domains: (1) support for the clinical decision-making process, (2) technical performance and procedural outcomes, (3) diagnostic accuracy, and (4) professional autonomy, training, and sustainability of competencies. Nurse-performed POCUS was associated with management changes in 26–67% of assessments and improved first-attempt success in ultrasound-guided peripheral venous access. Diagnostic accuracy was acceptable when supported by structured training, with no reported increase in complications. Conclusions: Nurse-performed POCUS in adult ICUs appears safe and practice-enhancing, supporting decision-making and selected procedural outcomes. Further multi-center controlled studies are required to clarify its impact on major clinical endpoints and long-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly used in critical care to support real-time clinical decision-making. Although traditionally performed by physicians, recent advances have enabled nurses to integrate POCUS into their practice. In the intensive care unit (ICU), where timely and accurate assessments are critical, POCUS performed by nurses can improve diagnostic accuracy, guide clinical interventions, and improve patient outcomes. However, the overall impact of this practice has not yet been systematically evaluated. Aim: This systematic review aims in terms of clinical decision-making, diagnostic accuracy, timeliness of care, and patient-related outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The protocol follows the PRISMA-P 2015 guidelines and is registered in PROSPERO (N. CRD420251114795). A comprehensive literature search will be conducted in four databases: PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science. The review will include primary peer-reviewed studies involving adult ICU patients and assessing POCUS performed by nurses. The quality of the study will be evaluated using the JBI Critical Appraisal Tools. Data will be synthesized narratively and quantitatively, where possible. EXPECTED RESULTS: This review will provide a structured synthesis of existing evidence on nurse-led POCUS in intensive care. It will explore its clinical utility and influence on decision-making, care quality, and patient outcomes. DISCUSSION: Findings are expected to inform clinical practice, training strategies, and policy development to integrate nurse-performed POCUS into ICU protocols. This review may also identify gaps in the literature to guide future research.

Introduction: A laparotomy is a surgical procedure involving an abdominal incision to access the peritoneal cavity, commonly performed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including trauma management and the treatment of gynecological, pelvic, and abdominal conditions. In this context, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) serves as an effective adjunct to wound management by applying subatmospheric pressure to the wound bed, thereby promoting granulation tissue formation and reducing local inflammation. Objective: This systematic review will aim to evaluate the efficacy of NPWT compared to standard wound care in adult patients undergoing laparotomy, with specific attention to key clinical outcomes such as wound healing time, surgical site infection rates, wound dehiscence, and overall complication rates. Materials and methods: The systematic review follows the PRISMA guidelines and uses the PICO framework for search terms. The studies will be identified through important databases (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and Web of Science). Methodological quality and risk of bias will be assessed with JBI critical assessment tools. This protocol for a systematic review has been registered on PROSPERO (N. CRD420251058825). Results: The results of the systematic search and selection process will be reported using a PRISMA flowchart. The extracted data will include wound healing time, granulation tissue development, infection rates, and adverse events. The quantitative synthesis will be conducted if the homogeneity of the data allows it. Conclusions: This systematic review will synthesize the available evidence on the efficacy of NPWT in the management of laparotomy wounds. The findings will have implications for clinical practice in surgical wound care and may contribute to the development of standardized wound management protocols.