Focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST): Results from an International Consensus Conference

Objective: To assemble an international panel of experts to develop consens us recommendations on selected important issues on the use of ultrasonograp hy (US) in trauma care. Setting: R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland Medical System, Baltimore, Md. The conference was held on December 4, 1997, Participants: A committee of two co-directors and eight faculty members, in the disciplines of surgery and emergency medicine, representing four natio ns. Each faculty member had made significant contributions to the current u nderstanding of US in trauma. Results: Six broad topics felt to be controversial or to have wide variatio n in practice were discussed using the ad hoc process: (1) US nomenclature and technique; (2) US for organ-specific injury; (3) US scoring systems; (4 ) the meaning of positive and negative US studies; (5) US credentialing iss ues; and (6) future applications of US. Consensus recommendations were made when unanimous agreement was reached. Majority viewpoints and minority opi nions are presented for unresolved issues. Conclusion: The consensus conference process fostered an international shar ing of ideas. Continued communication is needed to advance the science and technology of US in trauma care.