RT journal article
T1 Impacto de un programa de simulación en la adquisición de competencias en ventanas ecográficas para la atención inicial del paciente politraumatizado en enfermería de cuidados avanzados prehospitalarios
T2 Impact of a simulation-based training program on the acquisition of ultrasound window competencies for the initial assessment of polytrauma patients in advanced prehospital nursing care
A1 Almenara Abellán, José Luis
A1 Lagares Franco, Carolina María
A1 Bordes Bustamante, Francisco
A1 Gracia Romero, Manuel Ángel
A1 Santisteban Espejo, Antonio Leopoldo
A2 Anatomía y Embriología Humana
A2 Cirugía
A2 Estadística e Investigación Operativa
A2 Medicina
K1 Ecografía
K1 E-FAST
K1 Enfermería
K1 Cuidados avanzados
K1 Ultrasound
K1 Nursing
K1 Advanced care
AB IntroductionPoint-of-care ultrasound is essential in the initial assessment of polytrauma patients. The E-FAST protocol enables rapid detection of intra-abdominal free fluid, pericardial effusion, and pneumothorax, with particular usefulness in prehospital settings. However, ultrasound training among emergency nursing staff remains limited, especially within Advanced Life Support (ALS) mobile units.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of a brief, structured training program on the acquisition of competencies for obtaining E-FAST windows in ALS mobile units nurses, assessing knowledge, technical skills, scanning sequence, and perceived confidence.MethodA quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study was conducted with nurses with ≥ 6 months of experience in emergency or prehospital care. The intervention included baseline assessment, a 2-hour theoretical module, high-fidelity simulation with Ultrasound Mentor®, and hands-on practice with human models. Final assessment combined a theoretical test, simulator-based practical evaluation, and scanning with a real ultrasound device. Knowledge, execution times, and confidence levels were recorded.ResultsFourteen nurses participated, most without previous ultrasound training (85.7%). Initial confidence was low and improved significantly after the intervention. Theoretical performance increased in 5 of the 6 evaluated items, reaching up to 92.9% accuracy in key content areas. Practical assessment demonstrated an organized scanning sequence and appropriate times for prehospital care (medians of 118 s [IQR 24.5] in advanced simulation and 237 s [IQR 33.3] using a real ultrasound device).DiscussionThe program enabled the acquisition of essential skills even in professionals without prior ultrasound experience. The combination of theory, simulation, and hands-on practice facilitated rapid competency transfer and protocol standardization.ConclusionsA brief training program improves ALS mobile units nurses’ competence and confidence in obtaining E-FAST windows, supporting the safe integration of point-of-care ultrasound into prehospital care.
PB Elsevier España
SN 1578-1291
YR 2026
FD 2026-05-07
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/40414
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/40414
LA spa
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 12-nov-2026