Prehospital ultrasound

[Extract] Focused ultrasound is an emerging tool that non-imaging specialists are increasingly using in hospital to assess and monitor patients. The use of ultrasound under these circumstances is directed towards answering a specific clinical question, or improving the safety of a specific clinical procedure. Ultrasound provides real-time imaging of many structures otherwise 'invisible' to the practitioner and is not limited by environmental noise.\ud \ud The development of lighter, stronger, cheaper and more portable ultrasound devices means that focused ultrasound may now be employed in the prehospital environment (Figure 12.1)