|
|
|
Emergency physicians now view screening ultrasonography as a tool, not
unlike the stethoscope, as an instrument that we must be proficient in
using. A screening ultrasound is, as the name implies, not a complete
formal study. It is rather a highly focused, limited, goal directed exam
with the expressed purpose of answering a select set of questions.
Simply put, these are a list of primary examinations that may be
critically time dependent and/or may show significant immediate benefit
to the patient. These questions include: Is there a pericardial effusion
present? Are there gallstones present? Is there hydronephrosis evident?
Is there free peritoneal fluid? Is there a well-defined intrauterine
pregnancy? Is there an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) present? Is there
a foreign body? Only in rare instances will these initial screens not be
followed by a formal complete radiographic study in the next 1-2 days.
Examples where this might occur include patients with pericardial
effusion, intraperitoneal fluid or AAA sent immediately to the operating
room.
Why now? Despite diagnostic US's proven benefits in Europe and now
centers in the United States, its availability has always been limited
because of both the size and cost of machines. Recently, technical
advances have allowed high quality equipment to be developed and
produced at a fraction of previous cost. Also, machines are now much
smaller in size with some weighing less than 20 pounds. This allows the
new machines to be easily moved around a busy emergency or trauma area
without disrupting patient care, making US both a convenient and
effective tool for any sized ED.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
