Interpretation Accuracy and Theoretical Decision Impact of Prehospital Ultrasound for Paramedics - Analysis of a Rural Pilot Program
Trained, experienced paramedics can acquire and accurately interpret focused PHUS exams in the field. Incomplete windows were the most frequent source of interpretation error. Paramedics reported that PHUS findings would support or impact their clinical decisions in the majority of uses, with pulmonary and eFAST providing the most decision support of exams studied. These results support growing evidence that PHUS may support prehospital decisions and patient care in focused, protocolized use cases in rural settings.
Authors
- Andrew Pettit
- Andrew W. Seefeld
- Isain Zapata (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9009-8475)
- Zachary Soucy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9824-4158)
- Nena Lundgreen Mason (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4638-5164)
- Enzo G. Plaitano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9701-8925)
- K. W. Weiler
Institutions
- Dartmouth College (US)
- Rocky Vista University (US)
- Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice (US)
- Dartmouth–Hitchcock Medical Center (US)
- Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center (US)
- Memorial Hospital (US)
- Plymouth Hospital (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Prehospital Emergency Care
- Published
- 2025-11-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1080/10903127.2025.2585153
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Ultrasound in Clinical Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.55