EMS-physicians' self reported airway management training and expertise; a descriptive study from the Central Region of Denmark.

Background: Prehospital advanced airway management, including prehospital endotracheal intubation is challenging and recent papers have addressed the need for proper training, skill maintenance and quality control for emergency medical service personnel. The aim of this study was to provide data regarding airway management-training and expertise from the regional physician-staffed emergency medical service (EMS).

Methods: The EMS in this part of The Central Region of Denmark is a two tiered system.

[Prehospital ultrasound].

Danish anaesthesiologists use ultrasound (US) to examine and treat acutely ill or traumatized patients in the emergency room, operating theatre and intensive care unit. They are also involved in pre-hospital care where US may theoretically be beneficial for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The literature concerning the potential use of emergency US in the pre-hospital setting is evaluated.