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INTRODUCTION: Several studies have shown the additional benefit of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) by prehospital Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Since organization of EMS may vary significantly across countries, the value of POCUS likely depends on the prehospital system in which it is used. In order to be able to optimally implement POCUS and develop a tailored training curriculum, it is important to know how often POCUS is currently used, for which indications it is used, and how it affects decision making. The aims of this study were: (1) to determine the percentage of patients in whom POCUS was used by Dutch Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) crews; (2) to determine how often POCUS findings led to changes in on-scene management; and (3) what these changes were. METHODS: Patients who received prehospital care from December 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021 by a single HEMS crew were included in this prospective cohort study. Clinical data and specific data on POCUS examination, findings, and therapeutic consequences were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: During the study period, on-scene HEMS care was provided to 612 patients, of which 211 (34.5%) patients underwent POCUS. Of these, 209 (34.2%) patients with a median age of 45 years were included. There were 131 (62.7%) trauma patients, and 70 (33.7%) of the included patients underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The median reported time of POCUS examination was three (P25-P75 2-5) minutes. Median prolongation of on-scene time was zero (P25-P75 0-1) minutes. In 85 (40.7%) patients, POCUS examination had therapeutic consequence: POCUS was found to impact treatment decisions in 34 (26.0%) trauma patients and 51 (65.4%) non-trauma patients. In patients with cardiac arrest, POCUS was most often used to aid decision making with regard to terminating or continuing resuscitation (28 patients; 13.4%). CONCLUSION: During the study period, POCUS examination was used in 34.5% of all prehospital HEMS patients and had a therapeutic consequence in 40.7% of patients. In trauma patients, POCUS seems to be most effective for patient triage and evaluation of treatment effectiveness. Moreover, POCUS can be of significant value in patients undergoing CPR. A tailored HEMS POCUS training curriculum should include ultrasound techniques for trauma and cardiac arrest.

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BACKGROUND: In the Netherlands there are, at the time of writing, no clear guidelines about the implementation of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). An observational study was conducted to investigate the current status of AEDs in city centres in the Netherlands looking specifically at the availability, condition and employability of the AEDs. METHODS AND RESULTS: The shopping areas in the old city centres of the six largest cities in the Netherlands were included in the study. After the AEDs had been identified, a questionnaire was used to determine the availability, condition and employability of the AED. In total 130 AEDs were found and 122 included in the study. The following results were found: 40% of the AEDs were not visible (range 21-64), 29% were not indicated with a sign (range 19-41), 7% had an empty battery (range 0-23), 16% of the defipads had expired (range 0-31) and in 98% of the AEDs a trained employee was present (range 96-100). After combining these results, 71% of the AEDs were available for use (range 61-93), 70% were in a good condition (range 46-82) and 70% were employable (range 58-93). The results show a major variability between cities. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that although national guidelines have not been implemented, a reasonable amount of AEDs can be found. However there is certainly room for improvement in the current availability, condition and employability of AEDs in city centres in the Netherlands.

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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cryptogenic fibrosing pleuritis is an extremely rare disease, which can affect both lungs from a very young age. The most common finding is severe lung restriction resulting in both hypoxemic and ventilatory failure. CASE REPORT: Male patient, 26 year old with acute deterioration of chronic respiratory failure. Following admission prolonged mechanical ventilation was necessary. An atypical clinical presentation made the diagnosis difficult, but eventually cryptogenic fibrosing pleuritis and lung fibrosis were established. CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic outcome of patients with the final diagnosis of cryptogenic fibrosing pleuritis is extremely poor, especially in an advanced phase of this disease. We recommend early treatment with corticosteroids or surgical pleural decortication.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Fibrose pleural idiopática é uma doença rara e pode afetar ambos pulmões já desde uma idade precoce. O achado mais comum na fibrose pleural idiopática é uma restrição pulmonar grave que pode levar a um quadro de falência respiratória e hipoxemia. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo masculino, 26 anos, internado com reagudização de insuficiência respiratória crônica e submetido à ventilação mecânica prolongada. Após intensa investigação e uma apresentação clínica atípica, foi estabelecido o diagnóstico de fibrose pleural idiopática associado à fibrose pulmonar. CONCLUSÕES: O prognóstico de pacientes com fibrose pleural idiopática é extremamente ruim, particularmente em fase avançada da doença. Recomenda-se o tratamento precoce com corticosteróides ou decorticação pleural cirúrgica.

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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cryptogenic fibrosing pleuritis is an extremely rare disease, which can affect both lungs from a very young age. The most common finding is severe lung restriction resulting in both hypoxemic and ventilatory failure. CASE REPORT: Male patient, 26 year old with acute deterioration of chronic respiratory failure. Following admission prolonged mechanical ventilation was necessary. An atypical clinical presentation made the diagnosis difficult, but eventually cryptogenic fibrosing pleuritis and lung fibrosis were established. CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic outcome of patients with the final diagnosis of cryptogenic fibrosing pleuritis is extremely poor, especially in an advanced phase of this disease. We recommend early treatment with corticosteroids or surgical pleural decortication.