Purpose: We investigated the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasonography during medical emergency team (MET) activations for respiratory deterioration.
Material and methods: We performed a prospective study of inpatients requiring MET evaluation for respiratory decompensation. A blinded investigator recorded videos of lung and lower extremity ultrasonography. The videos were reviewed by blinded investigators to determine a ultrasonography diagnosis. The accuracy of MET diagnosis and ultrasonography diagnosis were compared to the final diagnosis determined by retrospective chart review.
Results: The ultrasound exam was completed in 49/50 (98%) patients enrolled in the study with a mean duration of 13±4min. When excluding six cases that were not amenable to diagnosis by our algorithm, we report a lung ultrasonography diagnostic accuracy of 84% (37/44) which is similar to the accuracy of the MET clinical diagnosis of 75% (33/44) (p=0.29). Furthermore, we report in 28/37 (76%) of cases where the lung ultrasonography diagnosis was correct, patients may have received inappropriate therapies.
Conclusions: Lung ultrasonography can be rapidly performed in the majority of patients with MET activation for respiratory deterioration. As an independent diagnostic test, lung ultrasonography is non-inferior to the MET clinical assessment and may prevent unnecessary treatments if used simultaneously.
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