This document discusses the potential benefits of using ultrasound sonography in emergency medical services (EMS). It describes how ultrasound allows internal views of anatomy with a portable device and can provide quick, safe, and painless early diagnosis. Examples are given of how ultrasound could help in assessing pregnancy emergencies, multi-system trauma, placing advanced airways, diagnosing cardiac issues, and guiding venous access. Challenges mentioned include the high costs of ultrasound machines, extensive training needs, and concerns about delaying definitive care or not being safe. The document promotes ultrasound as a technology that could enable faster diagnosis and notification, help determine appropriate destinations, and ultimately save time and lives.

1. Sonography in Pre-
Hospital EMS
By: Logan Goettsch, B.S., EMT-P
April 27th, 2015
Cell phones on silent please!

2. Ultrasound Sonography in EMS
Benefits?
• Allows internal views
of anatomy with a
portable device
• Quick
• Safe
• Pain free
• Early Recognition!!!

3. Ultrasound: What is it?
• Sound waves
(humans can’t hear)
• Frequency?
• Animals?

4. How Can It Help EMS???
Technology that
leads to faster
diagnosis!!!
• Early Recognition
• Early notification
• Correct Destination
• Save Time = Save Lives

5. Pregnancy Emergencies
Real Scenario Odessa FD:
MVA-Pregnant F in in her
36th week of pregnancy.
Head on collision at 35
mph, lap and shoulder
belt w/ airbag
deployment, presenting
with supra pubic pain and
bruising.
Concerns?

6. Multi-System Trauma
Real Scenario:
28 y/o M high speed roll-over
with ejection. GCS 15 with
bilateral closed femur fractures
and RU quadrant undiagnosed
abdominal pain. BP 128/80, P
98, RR 20. Ground transport 40
minutes to trauma facility w/
no available air transport.
• Initial thoughts on
treatment?
No free fluid
noted!!!

7. Advanced Airway Placement
Another method of conforming
ET tube or supra glottic
placement
• End Tidal CO2 Gold standard!
• (cardiac arrest, low cardiac
output, pulmonary embolism,
hypothermia)

8. Cardiac Ultrasound
PE and Asystole arrest field
terminations
• Being added to other field termination
guidelines

9. Other Possible Uses in EMS
• Ultrasound Guided
Peripheral Venous Access
(British study 2010) 90%
better!
• Early stroke assessment
• CCT Continuous
monitoring
• Air ambulance (I can’t
hear!)

10. Challenges
Cost: the cost of these machines are far too
expensive
Training: Most ultrasonography programs are
thousands of hours
Delay in Definitive care: to time consuming
(FAST), system specific***
Certification: do we need it? NO!
Not Safe (Radiation)- Non-ionized vs Ionized
Focused Assessment Sonography in Trauma
Dr. Yamada

11. Questions? Comments? Concerns?
Thank You for
your time.

12. Works Cited
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sonography.PNG
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animal/technology-explained/~/media/LEARNING ZONE/Articles/Bovine articles/Images/
Ultrasound Testing - Los Angeles Heart Specialists. (n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2015, from
http://www.laheartspecialists.com/services/ultrasound-tersting/
(n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2015, from http://bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/images/bp/en-
gb/174-4_default.jpg
(n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2015, from
http://amaprod.silverchaircdn.com/data/Journals/JAMA/23310/jrc25002f1.png
(n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2015, from
http://www.lahey.org/assets/0/71/511/95/219/609/138a2405-1ffc-4c93-8c9d-63bc882a9b85.jpg
(n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2015, from http://www.ultrasoundcases.info/files/Jpg/18417.jpg
(n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2015, from http://cdn8.staztic.com/app/a/1004/1004575/medrills-ncd-
for-pneumothorax-34-2-s-307x512.jpg
Radiology, News, Education, Service. (n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2015, from
http://www.auntminnie.com/index.aspx?sec=ser&sub=def&pag=dis&ItemID=78061
(n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2015, from http://emergencyultrasoundteaching.com/galleries/image
(n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2015, from http://i.ytimg.com/vi/PuaJ4EHXT18/hqdefault.jpg