About this trial
The goal of this prospective nonrandomized study is to determine if a lung ultrasound exam improves diagnosis of respiratory distress in patients being treated by Emergency Medical Services. The main question it aims to answer is whether ultrasound use increases likelihood of correctly diagnosing heart failure. Additional questions include:
* How well can paramedics obtain and interpret ultrasound images? * How does ultrasound use change treatment received by patients? * How does ultrasound use impact patient outcomes? Participants will receive a lung ultrasound exam, but otherwise receive standard evaluation and care. Patients who receive ultrasound will be compared to those who did not receive ultrasound for logistical reasons and patients from before the use of ultrasound. Ultrasound will not be withheld from any patient for the purposes of the study.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Patient treated by Emergency Medical Services
Complaint of dyspnea
Oxygen saturation <94% on room air
Abnormal lung sounds
Disqualifiers
Pediatric patients (<18)
Traumatic etiology
Cardiac arrest at any point prehospitally
No ultrasound-trained paramedic involved in patient's care
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Pulmonary ultrasound
Treatment groups
Sponsors and collaborators
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Lead sponsor
Christiana Care Health Services
Collaborator