In-flight ultrasound to boost cardiac care

Critical care paramedics from Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) recently took the first steps in gaining new skills in the use of ultrasound technology. The English HEMS charity said that the move has been made with an aim to boost the on-scene, life-saving care its paramedics can give to patients suffering cardiac arrest.

The first-stage training followed the purchase by the EHAAT of five portable iViz ultrasound units from SonoSite, which led the training workshops. The paramedics gained hands-on training, aided by the provision of a patient simulator mannequin from CAE. The charity said that the devices will enable paramedics to tailor cardiac care even more accurately both at the scene and in the aircraft.

Over recent years, the service’s crews have seen rising numbers of call-outs to critical cardiac cases, which now account for nearly a third of patients treated. Stuart Elms, EHAAT’s clinical director, explained: “As part of our programme towards ever greater patient care, we are moving towards using ultrasound for the management of cardiac arrest and advanced life support. Our aim is to make as much use of ultrasound as we currently do of stethoscopes – whether they are cardiac, medical or trauma patients. The insight the new technology gives us at the scene will help us improve outcomes for many more patients.”