Journal article
Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Performed Extended Focused Assessment With Sonography: Training, Workflow, and Sustainable Quality
Air medical journal, Vol.41(2), pp.209-216
03/2022
DOI: 10.1016/j.amj.2021.11.005
PMID: 35307145
Abstract
The extended focused assessment of trauma (EFAST) examination is an invaluable tool for the initial evaluation of the trauma patient. Miniaturization of ultrasound has enabled helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) to use point-of-care ultrasound to care for trauma patients on scene. Our study demonstrated that HEMS crews accurately performed EFAST examinations after the implementation of a novel HEMS EFAST workflow, multifaceted training, and ongoing quality assurance. The HEMS crews' overall sensitivity was 53%, and specificity was 98%. The obtained image quality was highest for the lung, cardiac, and right upper quadrant components of the EFAST. Our results suggest that with a structured multifaceted training program, user-friendly workflow, and ongoing quality assurance, HEMS crews can perform EFAST examinations safely and reliably in the field. This would allow HEMS crews to detect life-threatening, time-sensitive conditions such as a pneumothorax, pericardial effusion, and intraperitoneal hemorrhage. HEMS EFAST has the potential to triage certain trauma patients directly to the operating room or newly emerging hybrid suites, bypassing the emergency room and saving crucial time.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Performed Extended Focused Assessment With Sonography: Training, Workflow, and Sustainable Quality
- Creators
- Robert Strony - Geisinger Medical CenterKelly Slimmer - Geisinger Medical CenterSamuel Slimmer - Geisinger Medical CenterPete Corros - Geisinger Medical CenterRichard Davis - Geisinger Medical CenterBo Zhu - Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical CenterKevin Niedzwiecki - Geisinger Medical CenterDavis Cho - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic MedicineJohn Lapczynski - Anne Arundel Medical CenterSharon Jia - Geisinger Medical CenterRichard Lopez - Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical CenterDavid Schoenwetter - Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Air medical journal, Vol.41(2), pp.209-216
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.amj.2021.11.005
- PMID
- 35307145
- NLM abbreviation
- Air Med J
- ISSN
- 1067-991X
- eISSN
- 1532-6497
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/2022
- Academic Unit
- Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984945081802771
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