Ultrasound has known limitations as a screening tool for blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) patients. Some patients, particularly those at high risk for injury, may need additional imaging studies even if a BAT screening ultrasound proves negative.
Now, a research team from the University of California, San Diego has documented the effectiveness of BAT screening ultrasound for different injuries by analyzing a database of trauma patients who received the exam at the hospital. Their results are featured in an article by staff editor Erik L. Ridley in our Ultrasound Digital Community.
The group found that among patients with negative BAT screening exams, those with certain risk factors -- such as hematuria or lower rib, lumbar spine, and pelvis fractures -- had a far higher risk of missed abdominal injuries than patients with no risk factors. The researchers found many more injuries missed by BAT screening in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group.
Among the 3,185 patients, only eight patients with injuries considered low-risk had negative ultrasound exams. But the high-risk group with negative ultrasound exams had more problems: 30 injured patients among a total of 494 in the group.
The UCSD researchers created a new triage algorithm to reduce the number of patients discharged with missed injuries. Find out what it is, and get the rest of the details at ultrasound.auntminnie.com.
