Completed

NCT Number: NCT01310504

The Use of the FAST (Focused Abdominal Scan for Trauma) Scan by Paramedics in Mass Casualty Incidents

Initially a group of paramedics will be trained to perform FAST (Focused Abdominal Scan for Trauma) scans. The paramedics will then enter a simulated mass causality incident and triage patients. Volunteers in the study will include peritoneal dialysis patients ("non stable") and non-peritoneal dialysis patients ("stable"). They will use the ultrasound to perform FAST scans on the patients to determine which subjects are "stable" and which are "unstable" patients. They will record which patients they consider need transport first. This data will be used to evaluate accuracy and speed of the FAST scan. When the paramedic identifies free fluid within the volunteer, they will be able to make the decision to upgrade these patients and ultimately transport them more quickly. The paramedics will be evaluated for time and accuracy with the FAST scan.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Mass Casualty

Age range

18 year–90 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Genesys Regional Medical Center

Grand Blanc, Michigan, 48439, United States

About this study

Ultrasound and the FAST (Focused Abdominal Scan for Trauma) scan is currently being used in the Emergency Department to help evaluate trauma patients. In the field a paramedic will use the START (Simple Triage Rapid Treatment) triage procedure to evaluate many patients and to help decide which patients are more critical and therefore need to be transported first. This study aims to create a mass casualty environment through the use of 10 volunteers who are on peritoneal dialysis and 10 patients who are not.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Paramedic - at least one year in the field, physically able to perform the test

Patients:

(10)peritoneal dialysis patient that are able to leave dialysate in abdominal cavity for the duration of the test
(10) subjects not on peritoneal dialysis who are available for the duration of the test

Exclusion criteria

Under 18 years of age

Treatment and study plan

SonoSite Ultrasound

Procedure

Will be moulaged to resemble a peritoneal dialysis patient. Paramedics will scan the abdomen and determine it there's fluid within.

Primary outcomes

To evaluate the use of the ultra sound and FAST scans in a simulation of a mass causality incident by paramedics for accuracy and speed

Time frame: up to 1 year

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ascension Health

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

The Use of the FAST Scan by Paramedics in Mass Casualty Incidents

Important dates

Study start: 2011
Primary completion: 2011
Study completion: 2011
First posted: Mar 8, 2011
Registry last updated: Aug 17, 2012

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.