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The Use of FAST Scan by Paramedics in Mass-casualty Incidents: A Simulation Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 November 2014

Brian West ,
J. Andrew Cusser ,
Stuart Etengoff ,
Hank Landsgaard  and
Virginia LaBond
Brian West*
Affiliation:
Genesys Regional Medical Center, Emergency Department, Grand Blanc, MichiganUSA
J. Andrew Cusser
Affiliation:
Genesys Regional Medical Center, Emergency Department, Grand Blanc, MichiganUSA
Stuart Etengoff
Affiliation:
Genesys Regional Medical Center, Emergency Department, Grand Blanc, MichiganUSA
Hank Landsgaard
Affiliation:
Genesys Regional Medical Center, Emergency Department, Grand Blanc, MichiganUSA
Virginia LaBond
Affiliation:
Genesys Regional Medical Center, Emergency Department, Grand Blanc, MichiganUSA
*
Correspondence: Brian West, MD, FACEP One Genesys Parkway Grand Blanc, Michigan 48439 USA E-mail btwmd@comcast.net
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Abstract

Introduction

The Focused Abdominal Sonography in Trauma (FAST) scan is used to detect free fluid in the peritoneal cavity, or pericardium, to quickly assess for injuries needing immediate surgical intervention. Mass-casualty incidents (MCIs) are settings where paramedics must make triage decisions in minutes. The Simple Triage and Rapid Transport (START) system is used to prioritize transport. The FAST scan can be added to the triage of critical patients, and may aid in triage.

Methods

This was a single-blinded, randomized control trial. Ten paramedics with field experience were trained with an ultrasound machine in the performance of the FAST scan. Two weeks were allowed to pass before testing to simulate the time between training of standard procedures and their implementation. On test day, five peritoneal dialysis patients with instilled dialysis fluid and five matched control patients were placed in a room in a random order where the paramedics performed FAST scans on each patient. The paramedics were assessed by declaring positive or negative for each evaluation, as well as being timed for the total exercise.

Results

Of the ninety tests (one paramedic dropped out due to family emergency), the paramedics had a mean accuracy of 60% and median of 62% (range 40%-80%). There was a statistically significant higher false-positive rate of 59% than false-negative rate of 41% (P < .01). Sensitivity was 67% with a specificity of 56%. Average time taken was 1,218 seconds (121.8 seconds per patient) with a range of 735-1,701 seconds and a median of 1,108 seconds.

Conclusion

In this simulation study, paramedics had difficulty performing FAST scans with a high degree of accuracy. However, they were more apt to call a patient positive, limiting the likelihood for false-negative triage.

WestB, CusserJA, EtengoffS, LandsgaardH, LaBondV. The Use of FAST Scan by Paramedics in Mass-casualty Incidents: A Simulation Study. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(6):1-4.

Keywords

FAST scanmass casualtytriageultrasound
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 29 , Issue 6 , December 2014 , pp. 576 - 579
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2014 

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