Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma

Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) is a rapid, bedside ultrasound technique employed to identify the presence of free fluid, typically blood, in the peritoneal, pericardial, or pleural cavities of trauma patients. Not to be confused with traditional imaging modalities, FAST is integral to the initial assessment phase within the Incident Command System (ICS) framework. This non-invasive procedure enhances the evaluation of trauma patients, facilitating timely decision-making regarding surgical interventions. In EMS contexts, it is commonly framed alongside structured communication and triage concepts such as START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) or SALT (Sort, Assess, Lifesaving interventions, Treatment/Transport) as shared terminology.