Trial of hand-held ultrasound in intensive care ambulances could save lives

A trial is underway in Victoria to see if hand-held ultrasound devices can help intensive care paramedics on the road to save lives.

Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) Paramedics are currently being trained in the use of the out-of-hospital point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) device.

The device helps paramedics to immediately identify a vein in patients who urgently need intravenous (IV) medication but are so sick that it is difficult to find a vein.

It may also allow more accurate diagnosis of the cause of respiratory problems in very sick patients, including those with COVID-19.

The trial – a collaboration of Monash University’s Department of Paramedicine and Ambulance Victoria – is training 45 MICA paramedics in the use of the POCUS device. The MICA paramedics will then trial the technology for six weeks to see whether it assists in the rapid diagnosis and treatment of patients.

MICA flight paramedic and PhD candidate from the Monash University Department of Paramedicine Ben Meadley, said while the devices are already in use in Victoria’s air ambulances and a small number of intensive care paramedics in Queensland, this trial is the first to look at incorporating the device into general practice for on the road MICA paramedics.

“These devices used to be quite large and expensive, now they are much cheaper, pocket sized, and plug into a smartphone or tablet to give the paramedic instant information about where a vein may lie, or the condition of a patient’s lungs when they are in respiratory distress,” Mr Meadley said.

He added that the advantage of the POCUS technology in urgent assessment of lung problems will be a major bonus for the treatment of patients.

“Incorrect diagnosis and management of patients suffering from respiratory distress can lead to poor patient outcomes,” he said.

In order to ensure quality and accuracy, paramedics will save images of the patient's lungs into a secure cloud-based storage system which will later be reviewed to evaluate the paramedic's interpretation.

“Traditionally paramedics don't have access to more advanced diagnostics such as blood tests, ultrasound, x-ray and CT scans, that are available in a hospital, to identify causes of respiratory distress. Now they can make an initial diagnosis while en-route to emergency department,” Mr Meadley said.

About Monash University

Monash University is Australia’s largest university with more than 80,000 students. In the 60 years since its foundation, it has developed a reputation for world-leading high-impact research, quality teaching, and inspiring innovation.

With four campuses in Australia and a presence in Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia and Italy, it is one of the most internationalised Australian universities.

As a leading international medical research university with the largest medical faculty in Australia and integration with leading Australian teaching hospitals, we consistently rank in the top 50 universities worldwide for clinical, pre-clinical and health sciences.

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