ACEP Emergency Ultrasound Section Spotlight: Standards, Resources, and What’s Next

In this ACEP Early Career Physicians spotlight, Dr. Laurel Barr sits down with Dr. Rob Ferre, Chair of the Emergency Ultrasound Section, to explain how the Section helps clinicians bring high-quality ultrasound to the bedside through education, billing and coding tools, infection prevention guidance, workflow standards, and a growing focus on AI and emerging technology.

A Section built for more than “ultrasound experts”

Dr. Ferre emphasizes that the Emergency Ultrasound Section is not just for fellowship directors and program leaders. It supports any ED clinician working to strengthen ultrasound practice. With about 1,600 to 1,700 members, the Section offers multiple ways to get involved through subcommittees and practical, ready-to-use resources.

Standards that shaped the specialty—and still do

ACEP emergency ultrasound guidelines were first published in 2001, which helped define what emergency ultrasound is, how it should be used at the bedside, and what education/leadership standards should look like. Dr. Ferre notes these guidelines have been widely looked to by other specialties—especially those using ultrasound without a comparable professional framework.

Real world tools for billing, coding, and payers

Dr. Ferre explains that documentation and reimbursement can determine whether POCUS grows or fades in an ED. The Section supports members by updating CPT resources and RVU tables, helping physicians work with billing and coding teams, and tracking payer behavior when insurers try to deny ultrasound payment.

Practical infection prevention guidance

The Section helps create infection prevention guidance that protects patients without slowing care. Dr. Ferre points to work on ultrasound guided peripheral IVs, clarifying when high level disinfection is not required and aligning best practices with manufacturer instructions and real ED workflow.

AI and emerging technology

Dr. Ferre shares how the Emerging Tech group becomes the AI and Emerging Tech Subcommittee. Its focus is education on what AI is and how it applies to ultrasound, plus a planned white paper to guide how AI should be developed and used in POCUS. He also describes using an AI based notebook to make policy and education content easier to search and reuse.

Collaboration that makes technology usable

The Section works with engineering and workflow organizations to improve how ultrasound systems connect with the EMR and image storage. The goal is fewer steps, smoother documentation, and more efficient bedside care.

Why involvement matters early

Dr. Ferre says the biggest benefit is people and mentorship. The Section connects clinicians through a listserv and subcommittees to solve shared problems and build careers, including support for medical student ultrasound education.

Bonus: favorite scan

Dr. Ferre’s favorite is cardiac ultrasound because it quickly answers high impact questions and helps guide care and reassure patients.

Visit the Emergency Ultrasound Section to learn more and get involved.