The use of ultrasound for prehospital fracture assessment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the use of ultrasound for prehospital assessment of fractures
IRAS ID
210673
Contact name
Stephen Makin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Aberdeen
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 25 days
Research summary
When medical emergencies occur in remote or rural environments, some distance from a hospital, the use of ultrasound scans could enable better prehospital care of the patient. Ultrasound scanners are now relatively cheap and highly portable, and can therefore be used in ambulances and other situations outside of a hospital.
The purpose of this research is to see whether ambulance paramedics can successfully and consistently diagnose fractures in patients’ arms, legs or chest bones using ultrasound. This will be done by comparing the diagnosis based on ultrasound imaging performed in the ambulance with hospital diagnoses using an X-ray taken according to normal procedures. Paramedic judgements about the ultrasound will be compared with those of a radiologist to determine comparative sensitivity and specificity as well as overall accuracy of prehospital diagnosis. The results of this study will be used to determine whether ultrasound could potentially provide useful prehospital information and streamline prehospital patient management.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
17/NS/0004
Date of REC Opinion
27 Mar 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion