Portable ultrasounds are recent technological advances made to sonography. They have existed for several years already, first starting off as sonograms that could be wheeled in and out of rooms to smaller hand-held devices. However, in the advent of technological advances creating tablets that function as small personal computers came the integration of a portable transducer that can be attached to a tablet.
Sonograms and diagnostic value
Sonograms are very popular diagnostic examinations because they’re fast and safe. They can be used in a variety of situations without posing a risk to the patient or victim because only sound waves are used to create medical images. Unlike other procedures that use radiation, sonograms are perfectly safe. More and more people are also choosing to become sonographers. In 2014 alone, there were almost 70,000 sonographers working in the country. Ultrasound technician education is available in 212 accredited schools in the US.
EMTs in New York
These tablet-sonograms have still a long way to go from being called true sonograms but in an emergency they function at an optimal level required by the situation. They can detect basics that can be answered by a yes or no question – does the victim have a collapsed lung? Blood in the abdomen? – questions like this make assessment much faster and much more accurate, making treatment much more precise before and after the victim is brought to the emergency room.
Mercy Flight Training
Mercy Flight Central in New York teaches all its EMTs how to use the small ultrasound device in assessing a victim. The process is basically the same as a normal sonogram, with a lower sensitivity. However, the results are fast and accurate, effectively raising patient outcomes through better treatment. So far, Mercy Flight is the only emergency provider that uses the portable sonogram but they are planning to expand their training to other providers in the state as well.