Präklinische Notfallsonographie – Spielerei oder Notwendigkeit in der professionellen präklinischen Notfallmedizin?

Although emergency ultrasound has been performed for many years, it has not yet become established nationwide in German prehospital care. Ultrasound devices have reached a size and quality which make using them at the scene possible. The application possibilities are extensive, making point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) an important component in both acute and subacute emergencies. It is decisive that emergency sonography be used in a targeted manner in appropriate situations. Prehospital POCUS (pPOCUS) can offer an important contribution to exclude differential diagnoses or confirm suspected diagnoses and, therefore, impact immediate patient care or transport strategies. The question whether emergency physicians or paramedics should perform these investigations is secondary; the most important point is whether standards in quality of acquiring and interpreting the images are fulfilled. In addition to universal training standards for all professional groups, a clinical governance structure is paramount to achieve and ensure this. Overall, emergency ultrasound is a necessity in modern prehospital care.