Prehospital Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma with 5G-enabled Real-time Telesupervision for the Early Detection of Intra-abdominal Hemorrhage and Trauma Team Activation: A Case Report and Feasibility Insight

Abstract

Prehospital ultrasound, particularly the Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (EFAST), has emerged as a valuable tool in the early identification of life-threatening conditions, including hemoperitoneum and pneumothorax. Current evidence supports the role of prehospital ultrasound in improving diagnostic accuracy, facilitating triage decisions, and enhancing communication with receiving trauma centers. However, its application in detecting intra-abdominal hemorrhage and expediting trauma team activation (TTA) remains underutilized in many emergency medical systems. This case highlights the critical importance of prehospital TTA in a patient with hemorrhagic shock secondary to blunt abdominal trauma. Rapid identification of hemoperitoneum via EFAST and immediate transmission of ultrasound findings enabled the timely mobilization of the trauma surgeon, interventional radiologist, and operating suite. Such integrated communication can significantly improve outcomes in patients with devastating hemorrhage by minimizing the time to definitive intervention.