Detecting occult hemorrhage bleeding using a new protocol called the UFOH protocol: Ultrasound Focused Occult...

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Radiology
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Point-of-care abdominal ultrasound (POCUS) is vital for diagnosis and management in critical care.
• The extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma (eFAST) protocol detects intraperitoneal fluid but has limitations for occult bleeding.
• No current ultrasound protocol specifically targets occult retroperitoneal hemorrhage diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel ultrasound protocol for the rapid diagnosis of occult hemorrhage.
• To address the limitations of existing ultrasound protocols in detecting retroperitoneal bleeding.

Main Methods:

• Development of a new ultrasound protocol named "Ultrasound For Occult Hemorrhage" (UFOH).
• The protocol is designed as a rapid, ultrasound-guided approach.

Main Results:

• The UFOH protocol offers a new method for diagnosing occult bleeding.
• It is applicable in diverse clinical environments like emergency departments and intensive care units.

Conclusions:

• The UFOH protocol represents a significant advancement in diagnosing occult hemorrhage, particularly in the retroperitoneal space.
• This novel approach enhances bedside diagnostic capabilities in critical care settings.