Impact of Point-of-Care Ultrasound on Prehospital Decision Making by HEMS Physicians in Critically Ill and Injured Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

During the study period, POCUS examination was used in 34.5% of all prehospital HEMS patients and had a therapeutic consequence in 40.7% of patients. In trauma patients, POCUS seems to be most effective for patient triage and evaluation of treatment effectiveness. Moreover, POCUS can be of significant value in patients undergoing CPR. A tailored HEMS POCUS training curriculum should include ultrasound techniques for trauma and cardiac arrest.