Evaluation of focussed assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) by UK emergency physicians.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the introduction of a focussed assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) scan into the early assessment of trauma patients in the UK.


METHODS
The setting was an inner city teaching hospital emergency department (annual attendance 100,000). All patients aged 16 or over admitted to the resuscitation room after blunt trauma were included in a prospective observational study. Patients had a FAST scan performed at the end of the primary survey. Results were compared to results of other investigations, laparotomy, postmortem examination, or observation.


RESULTS
153 patients were entered into the study. The sensitivity of the FAST scan was 78% and specificity was 99%.


CONCLUSIONS
FAST is a highly specific "rule in" technique and is useful in the initial assessment of trauma patients. Emergency physicians can perform FAST after a brief training period.
Brenchley
J
J
Emergency Department, Barnsley Hospital, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK. jane.brenchley@bhnft.nhs.uk
Walker
A
A
Sloan
J P
JP
Hassan
T B
TB
Venables
H
H
D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography; D006113:United Kingdom; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*