SonoSim
(855) 873-7666 Login
en English
enعربى zh-CN 中文 cs Czech de Deutsche en English es Español ru Français it Italiano ja 日本語 pl Polskie pt Português ru Русский
  • Home
  • Store
  • Our Solution
    • Our Ultrasound Training
    • The SonoSimulator®
    • Comparison Guide
    • Content Choices
    • Learning Benefits
  • Who We Train
  • For Groups
    • Group Ultrasound Training
    • SonoSim LiveScan®
    • SonoSim LiveScan CaseBuilder Feature
    • Performance Tracker
  • Company
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Blog
    • International
    • Our Partners
  • Our Clients
    • Client List
    • Case Studies
    • Testimonials
  • Support
  • Contact
  • Languages
    • en English
      enعربى zh-CN 中文 cs Czech de Deutsche en English es Español ru Français it Italiano ja 日本語 pl Polskie pt Português ru Русский

A Pilot Study Examining the Viability of a Prehospital Assessment with UltraSound For Emergencies (PAUSE) Protocol

Posted in: Emergency Medicine, Prehospital Care, Ultrasound Literature|February 19, 2016
Share Button

SONOSIM SUMMARY: The Prehospital Assessment with UltraSound for Emergencies (PAUSE) protocol is a way for emergency medical services (EMS) providers to identify life-threatening conditions that would necessitate immediate care and/or affect destination decisions, as well as to guide advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) efforts.

The goal of this study is to determine if the PAUSE protocol can be utilized by paramedics to accurately identify pneumothorax, pericardial effusion, and cardiac standstill with minimal training. After an introduction to ultrasound and a brief hands-on training session with the PAUSE protocol, participating paramedics were tested on image acquisition and image interpretation. Results showed the paramedics aptly obtained and identified ultrasound images of the pleural interface for detection of pneumothorax, in addition to adequately acquiring and interpreting cardiac images, either with a subcostal view or parasternal long view, to assess cardiac activity and identify pericardial effusion.

As this study was performed in a classroom setting, further research is warranted on PAUSE protocol image acquisition and interpretation in the field, as well as if the PAUSE protocol truly increases quality of patient care in prehospital environments.

Subcostal Pericardial EffusionRight Chest Pneumothorax

Chin EJ, Chan CH, Mortazavi R, et al. A pilot study examining the viability of a Prehospital Assessment with UltraSound for Emergencies (PAUSE) protocol. J Emerg Med. 2013 Jan 16;44(1):142-149.

Abstract

Background

Prehospital ultrasound has been shown to aid in the diagnosis of multiple conditions that do not generally change prehospital management. On the other hand, the diagnoses of cardiac tamponade, tension pneumothorax, or cardiac standstill may directly impact patient resuscitation in the field.

Study objective

To determine if prehospital care providers can learn to acquire and recognize ultrasound images for several life-threatening conditions using the Prehospital Assessment with UltraSound for Emergencies (PAUSE) protocol.

Methods

This is a prospective, educational intervention pilot study at an urban fire department with integrated emergency medical services (EMS). We enrolled 20 emergency medical technicians–paramedic with no prior ultrasonography training. Subjects underwent a 2-h training session on basic ultrasonography of the lungs and heart to evaluate for pneumothorax, pericardial effusion, and cardiac activity. Subjects were tested on image interpretation as well as image acquisition skills. Two bedside ultrasound-trained emergency physicians scored images for adequacy. Image interpretation testing was performed using pre-obtained ultrasound clips containing normal and abnormal images.

Results

All subjects appropriately identified the pleural line, and 19 of 20 paramedics achieved a Cardiac Ultrasound Structural Assessment Scale score of ≥4. For the image interpretation phase, the mean PAUSE protocol video test score was 9.1 out of a possible 10 (95% confidence interval 8.6-9.6).

Conclusion

Paramedics were able to perform the PAUSE protocol and recognize the presence of pneumothorax, pericardial effusion, and cardiac standstill. The PAUSE protocol may potentially be useful in rapidly detecting specific life-threatening pathology in the prehospital environment, and warrants further study in existing EMS systems.

To read the article, visit the Journal of Emergency Medicine website.

SonoSim Keywords: Prehospital care, Emergency medical services, EMS, Pneumothorax, Pericardial effusion, PAUSE protocol, Emergency ultrasound

February 14, 2017 System Administrator

SonoSim Blog

  • Blog
    • Announcements
      • Trade Shows
    • COVID-19
    • International
      • International Partners
    • Newsletter
      • Newsletter 2014
      • Newsletter 2015
      • Newsletter 2016
      • Newsletter 2017
      • Newsletter 2018
      • Newsletter 2019
      • Newsletter 2020
    • SonoSim Case Studies
    • Ultrasound Literature
      • Clinical Studies
        • Cardiology Clinical Studies
        • Emergency Medicine Clinical Studies
        • Gynecology
        • Musculoskeletal
          • Ankle
          • Foot
          • Knee
          • Shoulder
          • Spine
          • Thigh
          • Wrist
        • OB/GYN – Clinical Studies
        • Ophthalmology
        • Point-of-Care
          • Pediatrics
        • Procedures
          • Arthrocentesis
          • FAST and E-FAST
          • Lumbar Puncture
          • Nerve Block
          • Reduction
          • RUSH Protocol Procedures
          • Vascular Access
        • Sports Medicine
        • Vascular
          • Inferior Vena Cava
      • Education & Policy
        • Emergency Medicine
        • Medical School
        • OB/GYN
        • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
        • Prehospital Care
      • Hospital & Group Practice
        • Patient Satisfaction
    • Ultrasound Video Challenge
      • Abdomen
      • Airway
      • Aorta/IVC
      • Bladder
      • Breast
      • Cardiology
      • FAST Scan
      • Genitourinary
      • Intestinal/Biliary
      • Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Video Challenge
      • OB/GYN – Ultrasound Video Challenge
      • Ocular
      • Pulmonary
      • Renal
      • RUSH Protocol
      • Soft Tissue
      • Vascular Ultrasound Video Challenge
  • Conferences
  • In the Press
    • Press Coverage
    • Press Releases
  • Information Archive
  • Newsletter Articles
  • SonoSim Partners
  • Testimonials Archive
  • Ultrasound Review

Search

Learn More About the SonoSim Ultrasound Training Solution

    Contact Us  
×

Product Inquiry and General Contact

Please complete this form and a representative will be in touch with you shortly.


* Denotes a required field.

Create a Support Ticket

Complete the form to receive technical assistance. For a personal session to overview product features, please write "Product Overview" as the subject.


* Denotes a required field.

UPID Tag The UPID is a four or five digit number that can be found on a small black tag attached to the cord of your SonoSim® Probe.


Previous Article Feasibility of Bedside Thoracic Ultrasound in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Setting Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Next Article Cardiac Limited Ultrasound Examination Techniques to Augment the Bedside Cardiac Physical Examination Tuesday, May 3, 2016
SonoSim LogoSonoSim LogoTagline
The Easiest Way to Learn & Teach UltrasonographyTM
Social Media
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
Join the community for exclusive ultrasound tips and more!
Subscribe
X

Sign Up for the SonoSim Newsletter

Receive ultrasound tips, product updates, industry news, and more!

Ultrasound Courses

  • Echocardiography Training
  • Emergency Ultrasound Training
  • Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Training
  • OBGYN Ultrasound Training
  • POCUS Ultrasound Training
  • Ultrasound-Guided Procedures

Group Programs

  • Physician Groups & Residency Programs
  • Medical Schools
  • Simulation Centers
  • DMS Programs
  • Physician Associate Programs
  • Nursing Schools

Legal & Policies

  • Patents
  • Privacy
  • End User Agreement
  • Terms of Service
  • Security Overview
  • ar عربى
  • de Deutsche
  • en English
  • es Español
  • en Français
  • it Italiano
  • ru Русский
Copyright © SonoSim, Inc. All Rights Reserved. View Patents
We use cookies to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, assist in marketing efforts, and improve our members’ experiences. Visit our Privacy Policy for more information.

Need Help?

Click here to chat!

1