{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.019256308100929615, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0, 'mean_word_length': 5.495689655172414, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Impact of point-of-care ultrasound on secondary triage: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION
In mass casualty scenarios, patients with apparent hemodynamic and respiratory stability might have occult life-threatening injuries. These patients could benefit from more accurate triage methods. This study assessed the impact of point-of-care ultrasound on the accuracy of secondary triage conducted at an advanced medical post to enhance the detection of patients who, in spite of their apparent clinically stable condition, could benefit from earlier evacuation to definitive care or immediate life-saving treatment.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
A mass casualty simulated event consisting of a bomb blast in a remote area was conducted with ten simulated casualties classified as YELLOW at the primary triage scene; patients were evaluated by four physicians at an advanced medical post. Three patients had, respectively, hemoperitoneum, pneumothorax, and hemothorax. Only two physicians had sonographic information.


RESULTS
All four physicians were able to suspect hemoperitoneum as a possible critical condition to be managed first, but only physicians with additional sonographic information accurately detected pneumothorax and hemothorax thus deciding to immediately evacuate or treat.


CONCLUSION
Results suggests that point-of-care ultrasound-enhanced triage at advanced medical posts may be an effective tool to improve detection of conditions that were not apparent leading to immediate life-saving treatment.