scholarly journals Prehospital FAST reduces time to admission and operative treatment: a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Lucas ◽  
Dorothea Hempel ◽  
Ronny Otto ◽  
Franziska Brenner ◽  
Mario Stier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Operative Treatment ◽  
Trauma Care ◽  
Prehospital Care ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Multicenter Trial ◽  
Free Fluid ◽  
Trauma Room ◽  
Portable Ultrasound ◽  
Clinical Exam ◽  
Prehospital Diagnosis

Abstract Background The focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) exam is an established trauma care diagnostic procedure. Ultrasound performed during prehospital care can improve early treatment and management of the patients. In this prospective randomized clinical trial, we wanted to assess whether a pre-hospital FAST (p-FAST) influences pre-hospital strategy and the time to operative treatment. Methods We studied 296 trauma victims in a prehospital setting. Inclusion criteria were potential abdominal injuries identified either by clinical examination or suggested by the mechanism of injury. Physician-staffed helicopters and emergency ambulances were equipped with portable ultrasound devices. According to a scheme related to calendar weeks, a clinical exam only (CEX) or a clinical exam together with a p-FAST (CEX-p-FAST) was conducted. Outcome variables were prehospital diagnosis and strategy, the time to admission to the trauma room and to operation theater. The study was approved by the university ethical committee (REB#: 46/06). Results CEX-p-FAST showed a high sensitivity (94.7%) and specificity (97.6%) in detection of free fluid compared to CEX-only (80.0%, 84.4%). The median time to admission was reduced significantly by 13 min and to operative treatment by 15 min after CEX-p-FAST. We observed a cross-over rate of 30.8% of p-FAST (n = 36) to CEX-p-FAST during the CEX-only weeks. Conclusion According to the experience of the principal investigators, CEX-p-FAST was superior to CEX-only. Despite the time needed for p-FAST, the relevant admission time was significantly shorter. Thus, p-FAST is recommended in addition to CEX if possible for decision-making in prehospital trauma care. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register #DRKS00022117—Registered 10 July 2020—Retrospectively registered, https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00022117.

Transrectal Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Prostatic Carcinoma: Our Study on 365 Patients

1994 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 270-276
Author(s):  
M. Calò ◽  
I. Malavolti ◽  
G. Cuscianna ◽  
F. Baldari ◽  
C.A. Pollastri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Needle Biopsy ◽  
Prostatic Carcinoma ◽  
Specific Antigen ◽  
Transrectal Ultrasound ◽  
Digital Rectal Examination ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Transrectal Ultrasonography ◽  
Prostatic Specific Antigen ◽  
Clinical Exam

To evaluate the usefulness of transrectal ultrasound associated with needle biopsy of the prostate, 365 patients, with age ranging between 50 and 80 years, were studied for a total of 412 biopsies; the ultrasound exam was performed when the clinical or the prostate specific antigen findings were pathological. Our experience confirms the high sensitivity and specificity of transrectal ultrasonography in detecting prostate cancer. It is our opinion that all the patients with positive or negative digital rectal examination but altered prostatic specific antigen or clinical exam should undergo transrectal ultrasonography associated with needle biopsy. The elevated operability of the studied patients shows the capability of ultrasound to detect the pathology in the early stages and its value in screening diagnosis should therefore be considered.

Physician Prehospital Care in Mexico City: Retrospective Analysis of Endotracheal Intubation in Patients with Severe Head Trauma

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-132
Author(s):  
J. Sebastián Espino-Núñez ◽  
Mirsha Quinto-Sánchez ◽  
Anabel C. Carrada-Varela ◽  
Fernando Román-Morales
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Analysis ◽  
Endotracheal Intubation ◽  
Mexico City ◽  
Head Trauma ◽  
Prehospital Care ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Head Injured ◽  
Prehospital Diagnosis ◽  
Medical Emergencies ◽  
Injured Patients

AbstractIntroduction:In Mexico, physicians have become part of public service prehospital care. Head injured patients are a sensitive group that can benefit from early advanced measures to protect the airway, with the objective to reduce hypoxia and maintain normocapnia.Problem:The occurrence of endotracheal intubation to patients with severe head injuries by prehospital physicians working at Mexico City’s Service of Emergency Medical Care (SAMU) is unknown.Methods:A retrospective analysis of five-year data (2012-2016) from Mexico City’s Medical Emergencies Regulation Center was performed. Only SAMU ambulance services were analyzed. Adult patients with a prehospital diagnosis of head injury based on mechanism of injury and physical examination with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) <nine were included.Results:A total of 293 cases met the inclusion criteria; the mean GCS was five points. Of those, 150 (51.1%) patients were intubated. There was no difference in the occurrence of intubation among the different GCS scales, or if the patient was considered to have isolated head trauma versus polytrauma. Fifteen patients were intubated using sedation and neuromuscular blockage. Four patients were intubated with sedation alone and six patients with neuromuscular blockage alone. One patient was intubated using opioid analgesia, sedation, and neuromuscular blockage.Conclusions:Patients with severe head injuries cared by prehospital physicians in Mexico City were intubated 51.1% of the time and were more likely to be intubated without the assistance of anesthetics.

Abstract TP246: Emergency Medical Services Survey of a Low-cost, Ambulance-based System for Mobile Neurological Assessment: The iTREAT Study

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
William M Clark ◽  
Nicole A Chiota-McCollum ◽  
Jack Cote ◽  
Brett J Schneider ◽  
Haydon Pitchford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Prehospital Care ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Neurological Assessment ◽  
Acute Stroke Care ◽  
Prehospital Diagnosis ◽  
Technical Challenges ◽  
Survey Responses

Introduction: Modern advances in acute stroke care place an added emphasis on accurate prehospital diagnosis and triage. As part of the Improving Treatment with Rapid Evaluation of Acute Stroke via mobile Telemedicine (iTREAT) study, we assessed the EMS provider experience with a novel system for mobile telestroke assessment. Methods: We developed a 12-question survey with input from local participants in an EMS Council serving rural counties in central Virginia. Providers rated the iTREAT system on feasibility for acute stroke triage, potential effectiveness in prehospital neurological assessment, and interactions with prehospital care. All survey responses were voluntary and anonymous. Results: Since initiation of live patient enrollment, we have completed 34 ambulance-based telestroke encounters with the iTREAT system. Among 7 participating agencies, 19 EMS providers have served as tele-presenters during the telestroke assessment, and 17 EMS providers completed the voluntary survey. Of the respondents, 71% were certified EMS providers for over 5 years. Regarding technical feasibility, 69% experienced issues related to maintaining a video connection, 41% with logging in to the videoconferencing application, and 18% powering on the tablet. Of technical challenges, 41% of providers resolved the issue on their own, 18% with guidance from study staff, and 24% could not resolve the issue. Concerning patient care, 23% felt the system interfered, 35% were neutral, and 41% felt there was no interference. The majority of respondents (71%) agreed that the iTREAT system is feasible for acute stroke triage, and an effective tool (59%) for prehospital neurological assessment. In commentary, EMS participants emphasized the system’s utility in rural areas. Conclusion: This survey of the EMS experience with a low-cost, ambulance-based system for prehospital telestroke assessment reveals both technical challenges and clinical promise. Importantly, technical issues are mostly solvable in real time and correctable for further system refinement. As a novel tool for prehospital neurological assessment and acute stroke triage, the initial EMS evaluation supports further investigation of clinical efficacy, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Prehospital Trauma Care

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 158-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
SM Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Care ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Prehospital Care ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Air Ambulances ◽  
Prehospital Trauma Care ◽  
Trained Staff ◽  
The Developed Countries ◽  
Accident Site

ABSTRACT The global human population is spread all over the world, but cities, towns, and large villages have dense concentrations of human inhabitation. The inhabitants of cities and towns do have easy and satisfactory access for the management of traumatized patients. However, trauma victims in remote and distant regions, generally, do not have ambulance services or treatment centers nearby to deal effectively with injuries. Even on highways, at accident sites, the injured may succumb to the injuries due to delay in rescue and nonavailability of vital basic life support compounded by delay in transportation of the patient to appropriate hospital or dedicated trauma center. Other factors which add to mortality are nonavailability of trained and experienced personnel at the accident site, inadequate and improper resuscitation during transportation, and referral to a hospital ill-equipped to treat traumatized patients. Trauma is the leading cause of death for patients in their first four decades of life. Prehospital trauma care to save life has not received the necessary attention in developing world due to diverse reasons, including lack of trained staff, inadequate funding, lack of awareness, ignorance, lack of will, and unpredictability of occurrence of accidents. Trauma management remains neglected in third world countries; however, the developed countries have made continuous efforts to save lives of traumatized patients by systematized prehospital care at the site of accident, rescue, and extrication of victims, rendering lifesaving resuscitation on the spot and quick and safe evacuation of the patients to trauma centers by surface and air ambulances depending upon the terrain and distance of the site of occurrence from hospital with continuous monitoring of the patient onboard. Prehospital trauma care needs focused attention to evolve a system and institutions which would impart care to the wounded inclusive of rescue, resuscitation, stabilization of vital parameters, and safe transportation to a dedicated hospital to save life and prevent morbidity. How to cite this article Sharma SM. Prehospital Trauma Care. Int J Adv Integ Med Sci 2016;1(4):158-163.

Impact of portable ultrasound in trauma care after the Haitian earthquake of 2010

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 970-971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachita Shah ◽  
Akshay Dalal ◽  
R. Malcolm Smith ◽  
Giliane Joseph ◽  
Selwyn Rogers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Care ◽  
Portable Ultrasound

scholarly journals Availability of Essential Medical Equipment for Prehospital Trauma Care on Public Ambulances in Ukraine

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s104-s104
Author(s):  
Stanislav Gaievskyi ◽  
Colin Meghoo
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Care ◽  
Medical Equipment ◽  
Prehospital Care ◽  
Traumatic Injury ◽  
Eastern European Country ◽  
World Health ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
Equipment And Supplies ◽  
Prehospital Trauma Care ◽  
Advanced Airway

Introduction:The public ambulance system in Ukraine is the primary deliverer of prehospital care for trauma patients in this Eastern European country, but no national assessment has previously been made to ensure the presence of essential medical equipment on these ambulances.Aim:Working with the Ukraine Ministry of Health, our aim was to assess the availability of public ambulances of medical equipment essential for managing traumatic injury using an internationally recognized standard for prehospital care.Methods:We identified 53 Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances from randomly selected cities for evaluation. We performed an inventory of available medical equipment and supplies on these ambulances against a matrix of essential equipment for prehospital providers developed by the World Health Organization (WHO).Results:Essential medical equipment in the categories of personal protection, patient monitoring, hemorrhage control, and immobilization were generally available in the ALS public ambulances surveyed. Deficiencies were noted in equipment and supplies for basic and advanced airway monitoring and management.Discussion:Public ALS ambulances across Ukraine are adequately equipped with many essential medical supplies to manage traumatic injury, but have deficiencies in both basic and advanced airway management. Correcting these deficiencies may improve prehospital survival of the traumatically injured patient. The results of this study will enable the Ukraine Ministry of Health to develop requirements of essential medical equipment for all public ALS ambulances in the country, to inform resource allocation decisions, and to guide public health policy regarding prehospital trauma care.

scholarly journals Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy Using a Portable, Noncontact, Nonmydriatic Handheld Retinal Camera

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenlan Zhang ◽  
Peter Nicholas ◽  
Stefanie Gail Schuman ◽  
Michael John Allingham ◽  
Ambar Faridi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Retinal Images ◽  
Training Experience ◽  
Clinical Exam ◽  
Eye Exams ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
Different Levels

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of low vision and blindness. We evaluated the feasibility of using a handheld, noncontact digital retinal camera, Pictor, to obtain retinal images in dilated and undilated eyes for DR screening. We also evaluated the accuracy of ophthalmologists with different levels of training/experience in grading these images to identify eyes with vision-threatening DR. Methods: A prospective study of diabetic adults scheduled to have dilated eye exams at Duke Eye Center from January to May 2014 was conducted. An imager acquired retinal images pre- and postdilation with Pictor and selected 1 pre- and 1 postdilation image per eye. Five masked ophthalmologists graded images for gradability (based on image focus and centration) and the presence of no, mild, moderate, or severe nonproliferative DR (NPDR) or proliferative DR (PDR). Referable disease was defined as moderate or severe NPDR or PDR on image grading. We evaluated feasibility based on the graders’ evaluation of image gradability. We evaluated accuracy of identifying vision-threatening disease (severe NPDR or PDR documented on dilated clinical examination) based on the graders’ sensitivity and specificity of grading referable disease. Results: Images were gradable in 86-94% of predilation and 94-97% of postdilation photos. Compared to the dilated clinical exam, overall sensitivity for identifying vision-threatening DR was 64-88% and specificity was 71-90%. Conclusions: Pictor can capture retinal images of sufficient quality to screen for DR with and without dilation. Single retinal images obtained using Pictor can identify eyes with vision-threatening DR with high sensitivity and acceptable specificity compared to clinical exam.

scholarly journals Possibilities of CT in the diagnosis of complications of intestinal diverticulosis (clinical observation)

2019 ◽  
pp. 54-65
Author(s):  
E. P. Korneva ◽  
M. V. Rostovtsev ◽  
N. V. Nudnov ◽  
T. M. Rostovtseva ◽  
E. V. Pronkina
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Intestinal Obstruction ◽  
Abdominal Cavity ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Intestinal Wall ◽  
Free Fluid ◽  
Abdominal Organs ◽  
Multiplanar Reformatting ◽  
Detection And Diagnosis ◽  
The Right

Purpose. To determine the possibility of MSCT in the detection and diagnosis of complications of diverticulosis.Materials and methods. MSCT was performed in the apparatus Aqullion Toshiba 64 with collimation of 0.5–1 mm with the multiphase contrast-enhanced and further multiplanar reformatting. The results of MSCT of abdominal organs in 2082 (100%) patients for 2016–2018 in GBUZ GKB im were analyzed. M.E. Zhadkevich, 841 (40%) – for emergency indications.Results. Intestinal diverticula was detected in 239 (11%) patients. CT-signs of diverticulitis were found in 36 (1.7%) subjects: 19 (0.9%) women aged 54 years to 91 years and 17 (0.8%) men aged 27 to 88 years. When admitted to the hospital, all patients (36 people – 100%) with CT signs of diverticulitis complained of severe abdominal pain: with localization in the left iliac and suprapubic areas of 22 (61%) patients, 2 (5.5%) – in the right iliac and suprapubic areas, the remaining 12 (33.5%) patients complained of abdominal pain without a clear localization. Localization of diverticulitis in the sigmoid colon occurred in 22 (61%) cases, in the descending part of the colon – in 13 (36%). In 1 (3%) observation diverticulitis was detected in the terminal part of the jejunum.The presence of perianth infiltrate took place – in 16 (44%) cases, with signs of abscedding – in 4 (11%), peritonitis was observed in 2 (5.5%) examined in combination with signs of intestinal obstruction. Perforation with the presence of a large amount of free gas was detected in 1 (3%) case, microperforation – in 12 (33.5%). A small amount of free fluid in the abdominal cavity was found in 18 (50%) patients. Conclusion. Timely diagnosis of complicated diverticular disease is crucial. MSCT has high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of phlegmon and abscesses of the abdominal cavity, perforation of the intestinal wall, peritonitis, bleeding and intestinal obstruction.

scholarly journals Prehospital Trauma Care Registry Problems in South Brazil

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 97-100
Author(s):  
Adonis Nasr ◽  
Phillipe Abreu-Reis ◽  
Iwan Collaço ◽  
Flavio Saavedra Tomasich
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Care ◽  
Trauma Center ◽  
Prehospital Care ◽  
Gunshot Wounds ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Electronic Data Collection ◽  
Prehospital Trauma Care ◽  
Care Assessment ◽  
South Brazil

ABSTRACT Background Trauma registry remains a great problem to most countries that are implementing trauma systems. Nondigital data assessment and storage may lead to information deterioration along the process. In order to verify the missing registry in prehospital trauma rescuers’ form, we ran this study. Study design A prospective observational noncontrolled study with 288 random trauma cases brought to a Level 1 Trauma Center in Curitiba, between May 28th and June 10th 2006. We analyzed data registered in the prehospital rescue team form. The including criteria were all patients delivered to the trauma center by ambulances. The excluding criteria were patients not transported by ambulances and those without the proper form filled out. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square for discrete, and the student's t-test for continuous variables. Results Two hundred and eighty-eight trauma cases were observed. Twelve patients were excluded. Of the 276 patients who met the including criteria, 75% were men with a mean age of 27-year-old. In only 8.34% of times patients were brought by doctors, while in 91.66% by paramedics. 63.4% of patients were traffic injuries victims, followed by 12.31% falls, 6.52% falls from the high, 5.79% gunshot wounds, 5.34% assaults, 3.62% stab wounds, 2.89% others. Impressively, 16 patients (5.89%) had no records of respiratory rate from the prehospital care assessment, 20 (7.24%) had no data of systolic blood pressure and 13(4.71%)had no pulse registry. Furthermore, 31.25% of the RR not registered were abnormal in the hospital admission evaluation, as well as 15% of the SBPs, and 23% of HR. None of the cases had information regarding time from the scene to the hospital. Conclusion Electronic data collection shall make checklists consistently filled out. It is not well understood the importance of registering data for most of healthcare providers working in the field, especially when they do not follow the in-hospital care of trauma patients. How to cite this article Abreu-Reis P, Tomasich FS, Nasr A, Collaco I. Prehospital Trauma Care Registry Problems in South Brazil. Panam J Trauma Crit Care Emerg Surg 2014;3(3):97-100.

scholarly journals Misdiagnosed Injuries in the Prehospital Trauma Care: Better Training needs to be Implemented

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 93-96
Author(s):  
Adonis Nasr ◽  
Phillipe Abreu-Reis ◽  
Iwan Collaço ◽  
Flavio Saavedra Tomasich
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Trauma Care ◽  
Trauma Center ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Prehospital Care ◽  
Training Needs ◽  
System Capacity ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Prehospital Trauma Care

ABSTRACT Background It is not always that prehospital trauma life support (PHTLS) principles are applied to daily practice. Lack of training to health care providers and a high amount of patients overwhelming the system capacity may let malpractice behavior to happen. It is the aim of this study to assess injuries misdiagnosed by prehospital trauma care in a capital city in southern Brazil. Study design A prospective observational non-controlled study with 174 random trauma cases that were brought to a level 1 trauma center in the city of Curitiba, between May 28th and June 10th 2006. We analyzed data registered in the prehospital rescue team form. The including criteria were all patients delivered to the trauma center by ambulances. The excluding criteria were patients not transported by ambulances and those without the proper form filled out. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square for discrete, and the students’ t-test for continuous variables. Results Of the 174 patients who met the including criteria, 75% were men with a mean age of 27-year-old. Of the 11 injuries to the neck identified in the Hospital evaluation, eight were missed by the prehospital care (OR 0.26 CI 95% 0.07-0.94). Also, only 7/20 injuries to the back were identified by the PHTLS team (OR 0.32 CI 95% 0.13-0.78). Similarly, only 6/26 injuries to the chest (OR 0.20 CI 95% 0.08-0.50), 4/15 to the abdomen (OR 0.24 CI 95% 0.08-0.76), 4/16 to the pelvis (OR 0.23 CI 95% 0.07-0.70), 13/33 to the upper body (OR 0.34 CI 95% 0.17- 0.68),7/39 to the lower body (OR 0.14 CI 95% 0.06-0.33) and 17/55 (OR 0.23 CI 95% 0.12-0.42) were correctly identified in the prehospital scenario. Conclusion Although it is known PHTLS principles, which save lives when applied in practice, further training and remarks to its importance is needed to fully implement efficient trauma systems. Electronic data collection shall make checklists consistently filled out, so that patient care will be improved. How to cite this article Abreu-Reis P, Nasr A, Tomasich FS, Collaco I. Misdiagnosed Injuries in the Prehospital Trauma Care: Better Training needs to be Implemented. Panam J Trauma Crit Care Emerg Surg 2014;3(3):93-96.

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