Remote real-time supervision of prehospital point-of-care ultrasound: a feasibility study
Abstract Background Although prehospital point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is gaining in importance, its rapid interpretation remains challenging in prehospital emergency situations. The technical development of remote real-time supervision potentially offers the possibility to support emergency medi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-021-00985-0 |
| _version_ | 1811332148904329216 |
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| author | Martina Hermann Christina Hafner Vincenz Scharner Mojca Hribersek Mathias Maleczek Andreas Schmid Eva Schaden Harald Willschke Thomas Hamp |
| author_facet | Martina Hermann Christina Hafner Vincenz Scharner Mojca Hribersek Mathias Maleczek Andreas Schmid Eva Schaden Harald Willschke Thomas Hamp |
| author_sort | Martina Hermann |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Although prehospital point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is gaining in importance, its rapid interpretation remains challenging in prehospital emergency situations. The technical development of remote real-time supervision potentially offers the possibility to support emergency medicine providers during prehospital emergency ultrasound. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of live data transmission and supervision of prehospital POCUS in an urban environment and so to improve patients’ safety. Methods Emergency doctors with moderate ultrasound experience performed prehospital POCUS in emergency cases (n = 24) such as trauma, acute dyspnea or cardiac shock using the portable ultrasound device Lumify™. The ultrasound examination was remotely transmitted to an emergency ultrasound expert in the clinic for real-time supervision via a secure video and audio connection. Technical feasibility as well as quality of communication and live stream were analysed. Results Prehospital POCUS with remote real-time supervision was successfully performed in 17 patients (71%). In 3 cases, the expert was not available on time and in 1 case remote data transmission was not possible due to connection problems. In 3 cases tele-supervision was restricted to video only and no verbal communication was possible via the device itself due to power saving mode of the tablet. Conclusion Remote real-time supervision of prehospital POCUS in an urban environment is feasible most of the time with excellent image and communication quality. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials Number NCT04612816. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T16:32:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-617afd237daa434f8b3ea073b8a1dc59 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1757-7241 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T16:32:23Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-617afd237daa434f8b3ea073b8a1dc592022-12-22T02:39:32ZengBMCScandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine1757-72412022-03-013011710.1186/s13049-021-00985-0Remote real-time supervision of prehospital point-of-care ultrasound: a feasibility studyMartina Hermann0Christina Hafner1Vincenz Scharner2Mojca Hribersek3Mathias Maleczek4Andreas Schmid5Eva Schaden6Harald Willschke7Thomas Hamp8Department of Anaesthesia, General Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Medical University of ViennaDepartment of Anaesthesia, General Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Medical University of ViennaLudwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Patient SafetyLudwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Patient SafetyDepartment of Anaesthesia, General Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Medical University of ViennaDepartment of Anaesthesia, General Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Medical University of ViennaDepartment of Anaesthesia, General Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Medical University of ViennaDepartment of Anaesthesia, General Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Medical University of ViennaDepartment of Anaesthesia, General Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Medical University of ViennaAbstract Background Although prehospital point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is gaining in importance, its rapid interpretation remains challenging in prehospital emergency situations. The technical development of remote real-time supervision potentially offers the possibility to support emergency medicine providers during prehospital emergency ultrasound. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of live data transmission and supervision of prehospital POCUS in an urban environment and so to improve patients’ safety. Methods Emergency doctors with moderate ultrasound experience performed prehospital POCUS in emergency cases (n = 24) such as trauma, acute dyspnea or cardiac shock using the portable ultrasound device Lumify™. The ultrasound examination was remotely transmitted to an emergency ultrasound expert in the clinic for real-time supervision via a secure video and audio connection. Technical feasibility as well as quality of communication and live stream were analysed. Results Prehospital POCUS with remote real-time supervision was successfully performed in 17 patients (71%). In 3 cases, the expert was not available on time and in 1 case remote data transmission was not possible due to connection problems. In 3 cases tele-supervision was restricted to video only and no verbal communication was possible via the device itself due to power saving mode of the tablet. Conclusion Remote real-time supervision of prehospital POCUS in an urban environment is feasible most of the time with excellent image and communication quality. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials Number NCT04612816.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-021-00985-0UltrasoundUltrasonographySonographyUltrasonicsDiagnostic imagingEchocardiography |
| spellingShingle | Martina Hermann Christina Hafner Vincenz Scharner Mojca Hribersek Mathias Maleczek Andreas Schmid Eva Schaden Harald Willschke Thomas Hamp Remote real-time supervision of prehospital point-of-care ultrasound: a feasibility study Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine Ultrasound Ultrasonography Sonography Ultrasonics Diagnostic imaging Echocardiography |
| title | Remote real-time supervision of prehospital point-of-care ultrasound: a feasibility study |
| title_full | Remote real-time supervision of prehospital point-of-care ultrasound: a feasibility study |
| title_fullStr | Remote real-time supervision of prehospital point-of-care ultrasound: a feasibility study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Remote real-time supervision of prehospital point-of-care ultrasound: a feasibility study |
| title_short | Remote real-time supervision of prehospital point-of-care ultrasound: a feasibility study |
| title_sort | remote real time supervision of prehospital point of care ultrasound a feasibility study |
| topic | Ultrasound Ultrasonography Sonography Ultrasonics Diagnostic imaging Echocardiography |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-021-00985-0 |
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