Introduction: The widespread availability of handheld point-of-care ultrasound systems (HHUS) has rapidly increased the number of preclinical emergency medicine ultrasound examinations in Germany. HHUS used by emergency physicians at the Southside Festival (SSF) in southern Germany was evaluated over several years according to its feasibility and ability to change patients’ disposition and treatment process. Methods: By questionnaire, the doctors performing the examination were asked about the indication, the body region examined, the ultrasound protocol used, if any, the duration of the examination, and any changes in the further procedure. In addition, the subjective assessment of the assessability, the visualization under the existing lighting, and the ultrasound experience of the users were surveyed. Results: In three years, a total of 29 ultrasound examinations were assessed by the sonographers. The majority of examined regions were the abdomen (55.2%). 27.6% used the (e)FAST protocol; no protocol was used in 41.4%. Indications: 31.0% pain, 20.7% trauma, 27.6% examiner’s interest, 24.1% confirmation of suspected diagnosis, 3.4% as part of CPR. Duration: examination 41.4% <2 min, 41.4% 2-5 min. In 20.7%, the procedure was changed due to the examination. Assessability and visualization were rated 2 (1 very good - 6 poor). Half of the users considered themselves experienced. Conclusion: Ultrasound examinations under medical service conditions at an MGE were feasible and accessible. The majority of examinations concerned the abdomen. US protocols were only used in half of the cases. The duration of the examination was usually less than 5 minutes, and the procedure was changed further by the examination in 20.6% of cases. Since there is supposed to be a large amount of extremities trauma in festival visitors, this percentage might be even higher when (in fracture and joint ultrasound) trained emergency physicians are in charge. Data collection will continue.
Bentele et al. (Sun,) studied this question.