SARASOTA COUNTY - The Sarasota County Fire Department placed into service handheld Point of Care Ultrasounds; these probes connect to a tablet or smartphone to produce lifesaving images that will further guide paramedics in caring for their patients.

The Butterfly iQ3 ultrasound system allows SCFD paramedics to conduct live telemedicine consults with the department’s EMS medical directors, who can see the patient and ultrasound images in real-time.

The innovative technology addition aligns the Sarasota County Fire Department with cutting-edge emergency medical practices, increasing survival rates in critical situations. 

The paramedics received additional training from the medical directors where they learned how to conduct exams to help determine if patients may have a collapsed lung, injury to their heart, or collecting blood in their abdomen from traumatic injuries. 

The ultrasound machines will be carried on SCFD's EMS Captains’ vehicles strategically located in north, central, and south county.  The EMS Captains have advanced clinical protocol to bring innovative and critical medical treatments to the citizens of Sarasota County. 

The ultrasounds, which were purchased with funds from a state of Florida grant, also compliment SCFD's whole blood program that has saved lives since it began in February.