情報技術およびソフトウェア工学ジャーナル
オープンアクセス

概要

Clinical Impact of Emergency Ultrasound by Emergency Physicians after Implementation in a Hospital in the Netherlands

Schönberger TJA

Although commonly performed in modern medicine, emergency ultrasound utilization by emergency physicians themselves is not common practise in The Netherlands, although the characteristics of critical care patients are the same worldwide. This article describes the impact of implementation of ultrasound on treatment of acutely ill patients. All ultrasound exams performed by the author during the first year after implementation are analysed and categorised according to the level of attribution to the diagnostic and therapeutic process.

On a total of 122 ultrasound exams on critical care patients, 27% of cases directly influenced the medical process and guided medical treatment. 91% of positive results were correct after comparison with final diagnosis at discharge or cause of death. In conclusion, emergency ultrasound by qualified emergency physicians is safe and effective in critical care.