Emergency Medicine Physician how-to

How to Perform a FAST Ultrasound

FAST finds internal bleeding fast.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

FAST finds internal bleeding fast. In short: scan; scan; scan, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Scan the right upper quadrant.

  2. Scan the left upper quadrant.

  3. Scan the pelvis.

  4. Scan the heart.

  5. Look for free fluid.

  6. Act on findings.

Safety reminders for emergency medicine physicians

  • Follow infection control
  • Use de-escalation for aggressive patients
  • Use sharps safety
  • Follow trauma and code protocols

Triage · Resuscitation · ACLS · Trauma activation · Intubation · FAST exam: see the full emergency medicine physician glossary.

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