J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2010 Apr;21(2):166-174.

The Current Status and Activities of Emergency Physician-Performed Ultrasonography in Seoul and Gyeong-gi do

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. erdrajh@naver.com
  • 2Department of Emergency Medicine, Guri Hospital, Hanyang University, Guri, Korea.
  • 3Department of Emergency Medicine, SoonChunHyang University Hospital, Bucheon, Korea.
  • 4Department of Emergency Medicine, Andong Hospital, Andong Medical Group, Andong, Korea.
  • 5Department of Emergency Medicine, Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University, Seongnam, Korea.
  • 6Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 7Department of Emergency Medicine, Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.

Abstract

PURPOSE
There have been reports that have focused on the usefulness of ultrasonography (US), yet there are no reports on its current status and activities. This study evaluated the current status and activities of US in Seoul and Gyeong-gi do.
METHODS
This study was conducted using a questionnaire developed by emergency physicians who were experienced in workshops for emergency US. The activities of US were established by assessing the average frequency of US examination among 5 clinical situations as recommended by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). We assessed the association between these activities and the variables using linear regression analysis and regression trees.
RESULTS
The overall response rate was 85.2%. The average frequencies of US examination are as follows: multiple trauma (75.1+/-29.5%), right upper abdominal pain (57.6+/-29.6%), cardiac arrest (54.4+/-30.6%), suspected ureter stone (42.4+/-31.6%), other abdominal pain (41.6+/-29.2%), chest pain or dyspnea (35.8+/-27.3%), right lower abdominal pain (33.6+/-28.9%), hypotension (33.3+/-27.8%), procedures (21.3+/-22.6%), intussusceptions (17.1+/-26.5%), central line access (16.2+/-21.4%), testicular torsion (14.7+/-23.7%) and assessing a pregnancy or a fetus (9.1+/-10.8%). The average percentage of current activities was 52.6%. The factors associated with current activities are as follows: the presence of supervisor for US training (p=0.030), the quality of the US machine (p=0.007), the number of patients (p=0.001) and the accreditation system for emergency US (p=0.014).
CONCLUSION
The current status and activities of US are varied. The factors associated with current activities are the presence of a supervisor for US training, the accreditation system for emergency US, the quality of the US machine and the number of patients. It is important to improve these factors to effectively use US.

Keyword

Emergency Medicine; Ultrasonography; Decision trees

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Accreditation
Chest Pain
Decision Trees
Dyspnea
Emergencies
Emergency Medicine
Fetus
Heart Arrest
Humans
Hypotension
Intussusception
Linear Models
Multiple Trauma
Pregnancy
Surveys and Questionnaires
Spermatic Cord Torsion
Ureter
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