Prehospital Point-of-Care Ultrasound to Guide Life Saving Damage Control Interventions and Priority Transport in Resource Scarce Environments

Abstract

Point-of-care ultrasound is a proven life-saving diagnostic tool that can be easily utilized in remote and austere settings with ever-improving portability. The utility of point-of-care ultrasound in prehospital care as a feasible and valuable tool to assist in prioritizing patients for damage control resuscitation and transport from the field will be highlighted with a focus on resource-limited environments and conflict settings. The session will conclude with a discussion around the successes, challenges, and lessons-learned after the implementation of a point-of-care ultrasound for trauma training program that was deployed to Ukraine in the fall of 2022.

Learning Objectives

Understand the role that point-of-care ultrasound can play in prehospital patient management.

Identify the benefits and pitfalls of point-of-care ultrasound utilization in the prehospital and resource-scarce environment.

Outline successful strategies and identify potential challenges for implementing a point-of-care ultrasound for trauma training program in complex environments.