The Use of Point-of Care Diagnostic Techniques in an EMT1 Fixed Improves Diagnostic Accuracy and the Detection of Seriously Ill Patients

Abstract

Background/Introduction:

The use of diagnostic technology at the bedside is increasingly common in hospitals and is spreading to EMS.

Objectives:

To detect the contexts in which the use of point-of-care blood test and ultrasound is feasible and provides benefit in an EMT1 fixed.

Method/Description:

Review of the procedures of the SAMUR-Protección Civil and the bibliography that supports them. Summary of the publications carried out by our group.

Results/Outcomes:

The basic blood analysis with blood gases, biochemistry and electrolytes allows to detect electrolyte disturbances secondary to gastrointestinal infection, diabetic decompensation, and others, to estimate the severity of a trauma patient that is not clearly unstable, to guide resuscitation in shock, to study the patient with chest pain, to assess organic involvement in infectious conditions, etc.

The use of ultrasound at the bedside has shown to be a great diagnostic aid in many pathologies: trauma (frequent in the context of a catastrophe), COVID-19 (detection of infiltrates), cardiorespiratory arrest (reversible causes), pulmonary embolism (high risk in people trapped), study of collections and abscesses, heart disease, etc. and it is useful for multiple techniques such as vascular cannulations (peripheral and central), orotracheal intubation, and drainage.

The ESP EMT1 SAMUR-PC is equipped with ultrasound and point-of care blood analysis, as well as our ALS units in Madrid.

Conclusion:

The inclusion of ultrasound and blood tests among the diagnostic capabilities of an EMT1 fixed can improve the ability to detect serious pathology and guide initial treatment.