Availability and practice of bedside ultrasonography in emergency rooms and prehospital setting: a French survey

Abstract

Introduction: The utility of bedside ultrasound (US) performed by emergency physicians has been proven for multiple purposes. There are no data about this technique in emergency departments (ED) in France. The primary objective is to determine the availability of ultrasound device (UD) in EDs and in prehospital settings in France. Minor objectives are to determine the number and type of UD, the most current applications of US and the factors correlated with availability of UDs in the setting of emergency medicine.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, multicenter survey from December 2010 to June 2011, including all EDs and prehospital units in France. A questionnaire was sent by e-mail. Non-responders were contacted by telephone with one recall.

Results: The response rate was 74% (327/440) for EDs and 73% (278/379) for prehospital units. A UD is available in 52% (171/327) (CI 95% [46; 58]) of EDs and in 9% (25/278) (CI 95% [5; 13]) of prehospital units. Among departments having no access to UDs, 29% of EDs and 12% of prehospital units have plans to implement emergency physician-performed US. The most common US applications are focused assessment with sonography for trauma and pleural exams.

Conclusion: Availability of UDs in French public hospital EDs is 52% and 9% in prehospital units. Despite the progressive expansion of the technique over the last years, bedside ultrasonography is not yet completely integrated in the physical examination of the patient in an emergency situation in France. A reassessment will be required to confirm the current trend of expansion.

Keywords: Emergency medicine; Enquête; Médecine d’urgence; Point of care systems; Prehospital emergency care; Questionnaires; Soins d’urgence préhospitaliers; Ultrasonography; Échographie; Échographie clinique.