P121: Prehospital ultrasound use among Canadian aeromedical service providers – a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Introduction: Evidence suggests that prehospital point of care ultrasound (POCUS) may improve outcomes. It serves as an aid in physical examination, triage, diagnosis, and patient disposition. The rate of adoption of POCUS among aeromedical services (AMS) throughout Canada is unknown. The objective of this study was to describe current POCUS use among Canadian AMS providers. Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study. A survey was emailed to directors of government-funded AMS bases in Canada. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The response rate was 88.2% (15/17 AMS directors) and accounted for 42 out of 46 individual bases. POCUS is used by AMS in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon are planning to introduce POCUS within the next year. Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland are not utilizing POCUS and are not planning to introduce it. BC is the only province currently using POCUS on fixed-wing aircraft. POCUS is used in <25% of missions, most frequently at sending hospital and in flight. Most useful applications were assessment for pneumothorax, free abdominal fluid, and cardiac standstill. Most common barrier to POCUS use was cost of training and maintenance of competence. Conclusion: Prehospital POCUS is available in Western Canada with one third of the Canadian population having access to AMS utilizing ultrasound. The Maritimes and the Yukon Territory will further extend POCUS use on fixed-wing aircraft. While there are barriers to POCUS use, those bases that have adopted POCUS consider it valuable.