Prehospital ultrasound constitutes a potential distraction from the observation of critically ill patients: a prospective simulation study.

Publication

Prehospital ultrasound constitutes a potential distraction from the observation of critically ill patients: a prospective simulation study.

Journal Paper/Review - Nov 10, 2024

van der Geest Yael, Marengo Luca, Albrecht Roland, Buehler Philipp K, Wendel-Garcia Pedro David, Hofmaenner Daniel A, Pietsch Urs

Citation

van der Geest Y, Marengo L, Albrecht R, Buehler P, Wendel-Garcia P, Hofmaenner D, Pietsch U. Prehospital ultrasound constitutes a potential distraction from the observation of critically ill patients: a prospective simulation study. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2024; 32:109.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2024; 32

Publication Date

Nov 10, 2024

Issn Electronic

1757-7241

Pages

109

Brief description/objective

Prehospital point-of-care ultrasound allows an unstable patient to be rapidly and accurately assessed. However, we are concerned that an excessive focus on the ultrasound device, in an already demanding emergency medical service environment, may distract from patient care, potentially leading to reduced situational awareness and the neglect of other crucial instruments, such as the patient monitor. Thus, in this study, we examined the influence of prehospital ultrasound on situational awareness, by studying the degree to which physicians were distracted from the patient monitor.