E-FAST (extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma) has several limitations for assessing trauma patients. It provides quick exams without radiation but clinical exams can be unreliable and findings must be reliably communicated to decision-makers. While specific injuries like free fluid can be identified, it has limited ability to diagnose solid organ injuries or retroperitoneal bleeding. Operator competency and proper training are also major limitations, as interpretation skills require significant experience. Overall, E-FAST provides rapid initial information but has limitations that require correlation with the full clinical picture.
18. Diagnosis
Limited to specific YES/NO Qs.
NOT good- solid organ injury,
intestine,mesentery, diaphragm, retroperitoneal
haem.
not delineate FF from Bladder rupture v
bleeding
19. “A fool with a stethoscope will be a fool with an
ultrasound”.
