Va. EMS uses field ultrasound to improve patient care

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Virginia Beach EMS has launched Field ultrasoundthereby increasing efficiency during critical incidents such as car accidents.

The ultrasound machine slides over the patient’s abdomen and allows doctors to view detailed images on a portable tablet. WAVY reported.

“This actually saves time because if we can determine, for example, in a trauma patient that they have internal bleeding, that can expedite treatment through the emergency department and into surgery if they need it immediately, or into the CAT scanner for that “to get more precise images,” said Dr. Stewart Martin, medical director of Virginia Beach EMS.

Dr. Martin emphasized that ultrasound can detect internal bleeding, cardiac dysfunction or a collapsed lung – all from the back of an ambulance.

“For a cardiac arrest patient that we may be treating, we can see whether the treatment we are giving is effective,” said Dr. Martin. “And if not, we may need to change our approach to get a better patient response.”

Virginia Beach EMS currently only has three ultrasounds and plans to expand the program to serve more patients.

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