Point of care prehospital ultrasound in Basic Emergency Services in Portugal

Abstract Background and Aims The Point of Care Ultrasound and Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound in Resource‐Limited Settings are differentiated diagnostic methods using ultrasound, essential in urgent patients screening, allowing better guidance in the diagnostic process and therapeutic approach. This study...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Manuel José Cruz Duarte Lobo, Sérgio Carlos Castanheira Nunes Miravent Tavares, Rui Pedro Pereira de Almeida
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2022-09-01
Series:Health Science Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.847
_version_ 1797772397343932416
author Manuel José Cruz Duarte Lobo
Sérgio Carlos Castanheira Nunes Miravent Tavares
Rui Pedro Pereira de Almeida
author_facet Manuel José Cruz Duarte Lobo
Sérgio Carlos Castanheira Nunes Miravent Tavares
Rui Pedro Pereira de Almeida
author_sort Manuel José Cruz Duarte Lobo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background and Aims The Point of Care Ultrasound and Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound in Resource‐Limited Settings are differentiated diagnostic methods using ultrasound, essential in urgent patients screening, allowing better guidance in the diagnostic process and therapeutic approach. This study intends to observe the impact of these techniques in two Basic Emergency Services (SUB) in Portugal. Methods A longitudinal study was carried out in two remote locations in Portugal (SUB N and SUB S). Data were collected by trained radiographers in each location, and a total of 972 exams were considered. Imaging findings were documented by exam type, the exam normality and the resolution after exam. χ2 and Cramer's V tests were performed to check significant correlations between the variables. Results Regarding the type of echographic findings, 289 (29.7%) were considered normal, 628 (64.6%) were classified as abnormal and 55 (5.7%) were considered inconclusive. As for the type of resolution, 58% had local resolution, 24% were referred to a hospital emergency service and 18% referred to ambulatory care. Regarding the Location versus Resolution after exam versus Findings variables, it was verified a stronger statistically significant association for the exams considered “Abnormal” (Cramer's V = 0.414; p < 0.001). In the variables Location versus Findings versus Resolution after exam, it was verified a stronger statistical significance for “Referral to Ambulatory” (Cramer V = 0.443; p < 0.001) although Referral for Hospital (Cramer V = 0.252; p = 0.003) or Local Resolution (Cramer V = 0.252; p < 0.001) also had a moderate association strength. Conclusion Ultrasonography is a useful diagnostic tool for patients screening, having an influence on patient management in remote settings. Given the limited literature in Portugal about this matter, further research and literature will be needed to support and complement the results of this study.
first_indexed 2024-03-12T21:50:15Z
format Article
id doaj.art-7c3dfdd6a0d8435b8bd4b5fdf7b76a48
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2398-8835
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-12T21:50:15Z
publishDate 2022-09-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series Health Science Reports
spelling doaj.art-7c3dfdd6a0d8435b8bd4b5fdf7b76a482023-07-26T04:11:54ZengWileyHealth Science Reports2398-88352022-09-0155n/an/a10.1002/hsr2.847Point of care prehospital ultrasound in Basic Emergency Services in PortugalManuel José Cruz Duarte Lobo0Sérgio Carlos Castanheira Nunes Miravent Tavares1Rui Pedro Pereira de Almeida2Local Health Unit of the Northeast (ULSNE), International Society of Clinical Ultrasound (SIEC), Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Portuguese Association (APIMR), International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists (ISRRT) Bragança PortugalBasic Emergency Service Vila Real de Santo António PortugalMedical Imaging and Radiotherapy Department, Center for Studies and Development in Health (CES) University of Algarve, Portugal, CHCR ‐ Compreensive Health Research Center, Évora ‐ Portugal. APIMR (Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Portuguese Assciation) Faro PortugalAbstract Background and Aims The Point of Care Ultrasound and Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound in Resource‐Limited Settings are differentiated diagnostic methods using ultrasound, essential in urgent patients screening, allowing better guidance in the diagnostic process and therapeutic approach. This study intends to observe the impact of these techniques in two Basic Emergency Services (SUB) in Portugal. Methods A longitudinal study was carried out in two remote locations in Portugal (SUB N and SUB S). Data were collected by trained radiographers in each location, and a total of 972 exams were considered. Imaging findings were documented by exam type, the exam normality and the resolution after exam. χ2 and Cramer's V tests were performed to check significant correlations between the variables. Results Regarding the type of echographic findings, 289 (29.7%) were considered normal, 628 (64.6%) were classified as abnormal and 55 (5.7%) were considered inconclusive. As for the type of resolution, 58% had local resolution, 24% were referred to a hospital emergency service and 18% referred to ambulatory care. Regarding the Location versus Resolution after exam versus Findings variables, it was verified a stronger statistically significant association for the exams considered “Abnormal” (Cramer's V = 0.414; p < 0.001). In the variables Location versus Findings versus Resolution after exam, it was verified a stronger statistical significance for “Referral to Ambulatory” (Cramer V = 0.443; p < 0.001) although Referral for Hospital (Cramer V = 0.252; p = 0.003) or Local Resolution (Cramer V = 0.252; p < 0.001) also had a moderate association strength. Conclusion Ultrasonography is a useful diagnostic tool for patients screening, having an influence on patient management in remote settings. Given the limited literature in Portugal about this matter, further research and literature will be needed to support and complement the results of this study.https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.847POCUSPortugalPURLSRadiographerRemoteUltrasound
spellingShingle Manuel José Cruz Duarte Lobo
Sérgio Carlos Castanheira Nunes Miravent Tavares
Rui Pedro Pereira de Almeida
Point of care prehospital ultrasound in Basic Emergency Services in Portugal
Health Science Reports
POCUS
Portugal
PURLS
Radiographer
Remote
Ultrasound
title Point of care prehospital ultrasound in Basic Emergency Services in Portugal
title_full Point of care prehospital ultrasound in Basic Emergency Services in Portugal
title_fullStr Point of care prehospital ultrasound in Basic Emergency Services in Portugal
title_full_unstemmed Point of care prehospital ultrasound in Basic Emergency Services in Portugal
title_short Point of care prehospital ultrasound in Basic Emergency Services in Portugal
title_sort point of care prehospital ultrasound in basic emergency services in portugal
topic POCUS
Portugal
PURLS
Radiographer
Remote
Ultrasound
url https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.847
work_keys_str_mv AT manueljosecruzduartelobo pointofcareprehospitalultrasoundinbasicemergencyservicesinportugal
AT sergiocarloscastanheiranunesmiraventtavares pointofcareprehospitalultrasoundinbasicemergencyservicesinportugal
AT ruipedropereiradealmeida pointofcareprehospitalultrasoundinbasicemergencyservicesinportugal