Prehospital Use of Ultrasound by Paramedics: A Literature Review.

Ultrasound technology is widely used in hospital settings throughout the United States to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. While the benefits of utilizing ultrasound in hospital settings are well understood, there are prehospital scenarios where the utility of ultrasound could be examined. Prehospital care often addresses acute and time-sensitive medical conditions, in which additional diagnostic information and early pathology detection can be crucial. Given the nature of these conditions, the use of ultrasound by paramedics in the prehospital setting is considered. This narrative review assesses the benefits and challenges of implementing widespread prehospital ultrasound use.