I might be a bit slow-what is a FAST scan?.

Background: Point of Care ultrasound is defined as a limited scan performed to answer a specific clinical question, enabling fast tracked patient management1. Ultrasound has been hailed as the new visual stethoscope of the 21st century, providing a valuable clinical tool for more accurate patient assessment2. The FAST scan (now updated EFAST: Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma) was developed to triage trauma patients with life-threatening internal bleeding3,4. Prior to this, invasive peritoneal lavage was needed to determine the presence of blood in the abdomen. Summary of work: At Monash Health, a large collaborative Point of Care program has been established for training clinicians in specialties including Emergency, Intensive Care and Respiratory Medicine. The program is led by a senior sonographer, training and credentialing Point of Care scans such as EFAST in the Emergency Department. Summary of results: The EFAST scan is now routine management of trauma and other types of acute patients, assessing for haemoperitoneum, haemothorax, pericardial effusion (tamponade), pleural effusion and pneumothorax. This presentation will cover how to perform an EFAST scan and review interesting cases. Discussion and conclusions: Point of Care ultrasound is growing in specialties like Emergency Medicine, and sonographers should stay updated on important examinations such as EFAST.