Introducing FAST scans into the Simulated Learning Environment

I really enjoyed putting the EDUS2  together. The challenge now was to integrate it into the simulated learning environment. I jointly run a workshop called twisted advance life support with the Director of Emergency Medical Training. Its a two hour multidisciplinary scenario based education session run twice a month. The scenarios were complex in nature based on emergency resuscitation area type presentations. The learning objectives are based around the principles of crisis resource management and the Australian advance life support guidelines. The participants are Emergency Registrars  and Emergency Nurses.

In consultation with the Deputy Director of the Emergency Department we decided to use the EDUS2 in one of our scenarios. The scenario consisted of a male patient presenting with abdominal pain and deteriorating to cardiac arrest. The diagnosis was a dissecting aortic aneurysm . Five rfid tags were placed under the skin of the manikin; pelvic, abdominal, perihepatic, perisplenic and  pericardial. During the manikin familiarisation the EDUS2 was introduced so the participants had an idea of the functionality and the limitations.

The EDUS2 was used during the scenario and the participants used it is making their diagnosis. During the debrief it the participants discussed the use of FAST scans in emergency situations.

Points included:

• How long a FAST scan should take
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of FAST scan use
• FAST scan interpretation
• Positioning and placement of the probe

It was clear that there was a need for further education. Since then we have obtained a phantom fast scan trainer and the consultant group have provided both didactic and Part task trainer education. We are developing a tool to audit the participants use of the EDIS2 during simulation and have asked for regular feedback from the emergency registrars and consultants on the use of fast scans in the emergency department. We are also planning to use the EDUS2 in our paediatric trauma simulations.

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