In this episode of the Pre-Hospital Care Podcast, we’re joined by Critical Care Practitioner Mike Palmer to explore the evolving role of ultrasound in trauma care outside the hospital setting.

We dive into the realities of training, drawing on insights from a bespoke HEMS hybrid ultrasound program that bridges classroom learning with frontline application. Our discussion covers the translation of emergency ultrasound skills into the unpredictable pre-hospital environment, with a focus on simulation training, image recognition, logbook development, and internal image review.

We explore how services are addressing the challenges of competency, governance, and quality assurance when deploying ultrasound in the field. We also tackle the practical and operational hurdles, how to obtain clear, actionable images in chaotic or resource-limited environments, manage the risks of false positives and missed diagnoses, and use ultrasound findings to guide critical decisions around triage and treatment.

Finally, we hear personal and professional reflections from years of frontline experience. From the traditional model of “see one, do one, teach one” to knowing when it’s better to keep the probe in your pocket, this episode offers real-world insights into the benefits, limitations, and evolving role of ultrasound in pre-hospital emergency care.

This episode is brought to you by IndieBase.

IndieBase is the smart, simple, and budget-friendly Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system designed specifically for the demands of HEMS and pre-hospital care. Whether you're responding solo, working within a flexible team, or managing care across a larger organisation, IndieBase is built to support you. It runs seamlessly on laptops, tablets, or smartphones, and crucially, it operates offline, ensuring you can document care wherever you are, even in the most remote environments. Developed from the proven platform of HEMSbase by Medic One Systems, IndieBase offers a familiar, intuitive interface with the rock-solid reliability clinicians need. It's ready for everything from festival medical cover to high-acuity critical care transfers.

Key features include full integration with all major pre-hospital monitors, case review, and clinical governance modules, making it an ideal solution for teams preparing for CQC registration. A patient feedback module also helps drive service improvement and meaningful engagement. For clinicians working across multiple organisations, IndieBase provides a personal logbook that combines your data and links directly with your existing HEMSbase logbook.

IndieBase EPR made simple, wherever you are.

Find out more at https://indiebase.net/