Ultrasonography in Norwegian Emergency Department Patients With Suspected Covid-19 Infection

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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In light of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic in Norway, it is paramount to develop and utilize clinical tools for assessing and risk stratifying patients with suspected coronary infection in the emergency departments. Diagnostic use of ultrasound in viral pneumonias, including COVID-19 has proved to be very useful. The use of ultrasound will assist in quick detection of lung pathology compatible with increasing severity of the COVID-19 disease. At the same time, the use of ultrasound diagnostics in the emergency department could improve logistics and reduce potential exposure of the corona virus to other health personnel. The purpose of the study is to assess whether ultrasound findings correlates with physical examination, labs, and other imaging diagnostics in patients with suspected or diagnosed COVID-19 disease, as well as assessing whether ultrasound diagnostics can assist in risk stratification. The project is conducted as a prospective multicenter study where ultrasound diagnostics will be performed on patients with suspected coronary infection in the emergency departments. Data collection takes place as part of the daily clinical evaluation of acute patients in the emergency departments. The project is planned to be completed towards the end of 2025.

Official Title
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Bruk av Ultralyd i Evaluering av Pasienter Med Mistenkt COVID-19 Infeksjon i Norge

Conditions
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COVID-19, Pneumonia, Viral, Pulmonary Infection

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: Lung ultrasound


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: - All emergency department patients with suspected or diagnosed COVID-19. Exclusion Criteria: Negative screening for COVID-19 recent negative COVID-19 test no indication for isolation in the Emergency Department

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 17 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Covid-19 suspected<br>Emergency department patients with suspected or diagnosed COVID-19 disease. All patients will be screened at triage and put into isolation if suspected disease. Ultrasound of the patients lungs will be performed after patient consent and findings will be recorded and categorized (Soldati et al., 2020). The use of ultrasound and registration of data will not affect the regular patient evaluation, treatment or logistics. | Diagnostic Test: Lung ultrasound<br>* After verbal consent the enrolled patients' lungs are evaluated with ultrasound while in isolation. The lungs are divided into 3 fields and findings are categorized according to Soldati et al., 2020.<br>* Other names: Ultrasonography of the lungs;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mortality | 30-day mortality | up to 30 days | 
| Level-of-care | In-hospital treatment level, e.g. discharge from ED, observational unit, ward, ICU. | up to 7 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| In-hospital length of stay | in days | Up to 30 days | 
| Oxygen usage in the emergency department |  | Within 24 hours | 
| Emergency department length of stay | in hours | Within 24 hours | 
| Antibiotics usage |  | Within 24 hours | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Ultrasonography, Norway, Emergency Department, Emergency Physicians