Spotlight on Research

Over the years there has been growing interest in the use of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool to enhance paramedic practice when managing patients with a variety of clinical presentations.

This study aimed to evaluate whether paramedics can be educated to carry out focused echocardiography in life support (ELS) involving the use of ultrasound scanning to assess cardiac function, as well as recognise reversible causes of cardiac arrest.

The study was undertaken in the Scottish Ambulance Service using paramedics from the Resuscitation Rapid Response Unit (3RU) who are regularly exposed to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Eleven of the 3RU staff attended a one-day training course focused on ELS.

They were taught to acquire both parasternal and subxiphoid views, and to assess the images for presence of movement, quality of function, recognition of rhythm, presence of fluid (i.e. pericardial effusion), and size of the chambers of the heart.

In total, nine paramedics participated in the data collection. Participants' knowledge was assessed through the use of pre- and post-course questionnaires to assess whether there was any difference in theoretical knowledge level (including interpretation) linked to participation in the educational intervention.