Does Size Matter? A Prospective Study on the Feasibility of Using a Handheld Ultrasound Device in Place of a Cart-Based System in the Evaluation of Trauma Patients

J Emerg Med. 2024 Apr;66(4):e483-e491. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2023.11.012. Epub 2023 Nov 24.

Abstract

Background: As emergency physicians are looking at handheld devices as alternatives to the traditional, cart-based systems, concerns center around whether they are forsaking image quality for a lower price point and whether the handheld can be trusted for medical decision making.

Objective: We aimed to determine the feasibility of using a handheld ultrasound device in place of a cart-based system during the evaluation of trauma patients using the Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) examination.

Methods: This was a prospective study of adult trauma patients who received a FAST examination as part of their evaluation. A FAST examination was performed using a cart-based machine and a handheld device. The results of the examinations were compared with computed tomography imaging. Images obtained from both ultrasound devices were reviewed by an expert for image quality.

Results: A total of 62 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean (SD) time to perform a FAST examination using the handheld device was 307.3 (65.3) s, which was significantly less (p = 0.002) than the 336.1 (86.8) s with the cart-based machine. There was strong agreement between the examination results of the handheld and cart-based devices and between the handheld and computed tomography. Image quality scores obtained with the handheld device were lower than those from the cart-based system. Most operators and reviewers agreed that the images obtained from the handheld were adequate for medical decision making.

Conclusions: Data support that it is feasible to use the handheld ultrasound device for evaluation of the trauma patient in place of the cart-based system.

Keywords: Bedside; Emergency medicine; Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma; Handheld; Point-of-care; Trauma; Ultrasound.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma*
  • Humans
  • Prospective Studies
  • Ultrasonography