FAST Exam: Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma

This Harvard Medical School Continuing Education video examines these key questions: What are the indications and limitations of the FAST exam? What equipment is needed to perform a FAST exam? What basic views will you see on a FAST exam? Dr. Aidan Sharkey, MD, an anesthesiologist at Beth Israel Medical Center in Boston, discusses the FAST exam, which stands for focused assessment with sonography in trauma. He reviews the indications for and limitations of this rapid bedside assessment for trauma patients and describes the correct tools and techniques for performing these ultrasound scans. This video was peer reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Salik, TMD, MHPEd, Instructor of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital; and Dr. Sugantha Sundar, MD, Assistant Professor of Anesthesia, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, to validate the quality and accuracy of the content. It was edited by affiliate physicians of Harvard Medical School, Anna Handorf, MD, Research Fellow in Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Bradley Petek, MD, Cardiovascular Performance Program, PGY-6, Massachusetts General Hospital.  00:00 | What is a FAST exam? 01:04 | Indications for performing a FAST exam 02:38 | Tools and techniques for performing a FAST exam This video was peer reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Salik, TMD, MHPEd, Instructor of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital; and Dr. Sugantha Sundar, MD, Assistant Professor of Anesthesia, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, to validate the quality and accuracy of the content. It was edited by affiliate physicians of Harvard Medical School, Anna Handorf, MD, Research Fellow in Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Bradley Petek, MD, Cardiovascular Performance Program, PGY-6, Massachusetts General Hospital. References: Images and scans courtesy of Dr. Aidan Sharkey, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. ©2022 Notice: At this time, the content in this video is not accredited.