The EFAST can be performed by the emergency physician as a noninvasive bedside tool to detect the presence of pneumothorax, hemothorax, and intraperitoneal hemorrhage.

References

1. Soyuncu S., et al. Accuracy of physical and ultrasonographic examinations by emergency physicians for the early diagnosis of intra-abdominal haemorrhage in blunt abdominal trauma. Injury 2007;38:564-9.
2. Neri L., Storti E., and Lichtenstein D. Toward an ultrasound curriculum for critical care medicine. Crit. Care Med. 2007;35(5 Suppl):S290-304.
3. Blaivas M., Lyon M., and Duggal S. A prospective comparison of supine chest radiography and bedside ultrasound for the diagnosis of traumatic pneumothorax. Acad. Emerg. Med. 2005;12:844-9.
4. Rothlin M.A., et al. Ultrasound in blunt abdominal and thoracic trauma. J. Trauma. 1993;34:488-95.
5. Melniker L.A., et al. Randomized controlled clinical trial of point-of-care, limited ultrasonography for trauma in the emergency department: the first sonography outcomes assessment program trial. Ann. Emerg. Med. 2006;48:227-35.
6. Abrams B.J., et al. Ultrasound for the detection of intraperitoneal fluid: the role of Trendelenburg positioning. Am. J. Emerg. Med. 1999;17:117-20.
7. Lichtenstein D.A. Ultrasound in the management of thoracic disease. Crit. Care Med. 2007;35(5 Suppl):S250-61.
8. Lichtenstein D.A. General ultrasound in the critically ill. 2005, Berlin; New York: Springer. ix, 199 p.
9. Lichtenstein D., et al. The “lung point”: an ultrasound sign specific to pneumothorax. Intensive Care Med. 2000;26:1434-40.

Contributors

Dr. Lewiss is director of the ultrasound division, department of emergency medicine at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City. Dr. Saul is associate fellowship director of the ultrasound division, department of emergency medicine at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center. Dr. Del Rios is research director of the ultrasound division, department of emergency medicine at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center. Medical Editor Dr. Robert C. Solomon is an attending emergency physician at Trinity Health System in Steubenville, Ohio, and clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Disclosures

In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Standards and American College of Emergency Physicians policy, contributors and editors must disclose to the program audience the existence of significant financial interests in or relationships with manufacturers of commercial products that might have a direct interest in the subject matter.

Dr. Lewiss, Dr. Saul, Dr. Del Rios, and Dr. Solomon have disclosed that they have no significant relationships with or financial interests in any commercial companies that pertain to this educational activity.

“Focus On: EFAST—Extended Focused Assessment With Sonography for Trauma” has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). ACEP is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. ACEP designates this educational activity for a maximum of one Category 1 credit toward the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits that he or she actually spent in the educational activity. “Focus On: EFAST—Extended Focused Assessment With Sonography for Trauma” is approved by ACEP for one ACEP Category 1 credit.