Emergency FOAM

Ultrasound Scanning in the Emergency Department As a keen bean with anything relating to Emergency Medicine, I took myself off to Cambridge to learn as much as I could surrounding Ultrasound and its use in Emergency Medicine. Here is some of when I was taught on US Level 1.  FAST Scan - Focussed Assessment with Sonography for Trauma Ultrasound examination performed at the time of presentation of a trauma patient The main aim in a trauma patient, is to identify the presence of  intra-peritoneal free fluid (haemoperitoneum )  allowing for an immediate transfer to theatre, CT or other.  It is a RULE IN test - you can not rule out haemoperitoneum with a FAST Scan Many studies have shown that peritoneal free fluid will not be identified by ultrasonography until more than 500 mL is present When detecting Intraperitoneal Free fluid: - Sensitivity of ~90% (range 75-100%)  - Specificity of ~95% (range 88-100%)  Where to Perform a FAST Scan THE PELVIC CAVITY