Using ultrasound in emergency medical services in Switzerland
The Benefits of Pre-hospital POCUS Examinations in Air Rescue
This study is testing whether using ultrasound by helicopter emergency medical teams in Switzerland can help improve patient care and decision-making before they reach the hospital.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 1000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Zurich, Canton of Zurich) |
| Trial ID | NCT06602856 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to evaluate the benefits of prehospital point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) examinations conducted by helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) in Switzerland. It will assess how these ultrasound findings influence medical treatment, diagnosis, and hospital selection for patients. Additionally, the study will compare the results of prehospital POCUS with in-hospital diagnostic tests to determine the diagnostic quality of POCUS and identify any findings that may be overlooked. The study will involve HEMS crew members completing a questionnaire regarding their experiences with POCUS.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are patients who receive prehospital care from the Rega team and have provided written consent for their data to be used.
Not a fit: Patients under 18 years of age will not benefit from this study as they are excluded from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance emergency medical care by improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment decisions in prehospital settings.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with the use of POCUS in emergency settings, indicating that this approach is gaining traction and may lead to significant advancements in emergency care.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * All patients in whom the treating Rega team uses POCUS pre-hospital * existing written General Consent (with permission to use patient data for research) Exclusion Criteria: * Age \<18 years
Where this trial is running
Zurich, Canton of Zurich
- Swiss Air Rescue Rega — Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jürgen Knapp, Dr. — Bern University Hospital
- Study coordinator: Jürgen Knapp, Dr.
- Email: juergen.knapp@insel.ch
- Phone: +41765138342
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.