Observational studyScandinavian journal of trauma, resuscitation and emergency medicine2026
Feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of paramedic-performed prehospital point-of-care ultrasound: a retrospective observational study.
Observational study in Scandinavian journal of trauma, resuscitation and emergency medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- [Prehospital point-of-care ultrasound (pPOCUS): "See, decide, act" : Evidence, training concepts, and the role of pPOCUS in the acute assessment of traumatic and nontraumatic emergencies].Medizinische Klinik, Intensivmedizin und Notfallmedizin · 2026Review
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7 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
backgroundPoint-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly being used in prehospital emergency medicine. While physician-performed prehospital ultrasound is well established, evidence regarding the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of paramedic-performed POCUS in real-world settings remains limited.
methodsWe conducted a retrospective observational cohort study evaluating paramedic-performed POCUS following a structured, multimodal training program. Twenty-one certified paramedics performed handheld ultrasound examinations in prehospital emergencies using standardized protocols with an observation period of 24 months, starting from March 2023. Feasibility, utilization patterns, diagnostic accuracy, and perceived clinical impact were assessed using standardized documentation. Hospital diagnoses served as the reference standard, based on radiological, sonographic, and/or clinical documentation.
resultsA total of 169 ultrasound examinations were performed on 144 patients. The overall diagnostic performance achieved a sensitivity of 87.9% and specificity of 92.7%. Diagnostic accuracy, defined as the concordance between prehospital POCUS-based working diagnoses and final in-hospital diagnoses, was particularly strong for lung ultrasound (pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, pneumonia and pleural effusion; sensitivity 91.7%, specificity 100%) and eFAST (sensitivity 100%, specificity 96.5%), while for the abdominal ultrasound examinations, the specificity was 70% and sensitivity was 71.43%. Ultrasound findings influenced logistical and clinical decision-making in a substantial proportion of missions, including changes in transport urgency (36.1%) and hospital destination (18.1%), whereas emergency room prealerts were avoided in 9.7% of cases. Training resulted in significantly more positive attitudes regarding feasibility, clinical relevance, and image of paramedic-performed ultrasound. Concerns regarding time delay and workload were markedly reduced.
conclusionsParamedic-performed prehospital POCUS is feasible after structured training and can be integrated into routine prehospital care. Prospective studies should further assess the diagnostic accuracy, reliability, and clinical impact of paramedic-performed POCUS in the prehospital setting.
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