An overview of emergency ultrasound in the United States

BACKGROUND: As emergency ultrasound use explodes around the world, it is important to realize the path its development has taken and learn from trials and tribulations of early practitioners in the field. METHODS: Approaches to education, scanning, documentation, and organization are also described. RESULTS: Machines have reduced in price and once purchased further material costs are low. Staffing costs in terms of training, etc have yet to be assessed, but indications from elsewhere are that these are low. Length of stay in the emergency department dramatically decreases, thus increasing patient satisfaction while maintaining an even higher standard of care. CONCLUSION: Emergency screening ultrasound is now a nationally accepted tool for the rapid assessment of the emergency patient.