Live Stream of Prehospital point-of Care Ultrasound by Air Rescue Physicians

Live Stream of Prehospital point-of Care Ultrasound by Air Rescue Physicians

Background: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has been suggested as a useful tool in emergency medicine for diagnosis and treatment of reversible causes. However, in prehospital setting performing ultrasound and the translation of the findings can be challenging. As new prehospital ultrasound devices offer the possibility for remote supervision, the impact of tele-supervision on time to diagnosis of critically ill patients is unclear.

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of tele-supervision on the time of POCUS in prehospital critically ill patients by air rescue physicians.

Methods: In total 100 critically ill patients suffering from acute dyspnoea, circulatory failure or trauma, which are treated by air rescue physicians will be included in this study. Duration of ultrasound performance as well as altered treatment strategies will be analyzed.

Inclusion Criteria:

Critically ill patients suffering from acute dyspnoea, circulatory failure or trauma will be included.

Patients with acute dyspnoea will be included, if they show at least one of the two following signs of respiratory failure:

• Respiratory rate > 20 breaths per minute
• Peripheral oxygen saturation without oxygen supplementation < 90%

Patients with acute circulatory failure will be included, if they show at least one of the following signs:

• Hypotension (systolic blood pressure <90mmHg)
• Altered tissue perfusion (cold, clammy, mottling skin or altered mental status)

Trauma patients will be included, if at least one cause is suspected:

• Intraabdominal fluid
• Intrathoracic free fluid
• Pneumothorax

Exclusion Criteria:

• age under 18
• if POCUS will lead to a delay of live-saving treatment or transportation