Spinal Stabilization and Patient Movement
http://www.emslive.com/articles/51/1/Spinal-Stabilization-and-Patient-Movement/Page1.html
Greg Friese, MS, NREMT-P
Greg Friese, MS, NREMT-P is president of Emergency Preparedness Systems LLC. EPS helps clients create, design, distribute, and facilitate rapid e-learning for emergency responders. Greg and EPS subject matter experts have authored and edited more than 200 hours of online education programs for first responders, EMTs and paramedics. Greg is a paramedic, Wilderness Medical Associates lead instructor and EMS author. Tell him your e-learning needs at eps411.com. By Greg Friese, MS, NREMT-P
Published on 10/14/2008
Do all motor vehicle accident patients needed rapid extrication?
What speed motor vehicle collision is a positive mechanism for spinal cord injury?
When considering the possibility of spinal cord injury EMTs treat the mechanism of injury. There may or may not be an actual spinal column or cord injury. Therefore the purpose of immobilization and stabilization is to stabilize the spinal column. When presenting spine stabilization content to emergency responders I receive three common questions which are answered in this article.
Spine Stabilization and Patient Movement
When should I move a patient with a potential spinal cord injury?
Move the patient when you need to. To understand and treat the patient’s injuries it may be necessary to move the patient during the initial assessment, rapid trauma exam, and focused history and physical exam. Nonetheless, try to minimize patient movement and when possible combine purposes for movement. For example, when you roll the patient on their side to look for DCAPBTLS on the back slide a backboard under the patient before returning him to a supine position.
Do all motor vehicle accident patients needed rapid extrication?
No. Rapid extrication is indicated when the scene is unsafe for the patient or rescuers or when you are unable to treat ABC life threats in the patient’s current position. If rapid extrication is not needed stabilize the patient in the position they are found until an extrication team and equipment is prepared to remove the patient from the vehicle.
What speed motor vehicle collision is a positive mechanism for spinal cord injury?
There is no specific speed at which a spinal cord injury will result. The occurrence of the spinal cord injury is dependent on many other factors such as the force involved – axial loading, hyper – flexion, extension, or rotation, or distraction. The use of seatbelts and airbags alters the likelihood of injury. It is incumbent on the prehospital provider to use their own clinical judgment to assess the mechanism for spinal cord injury. When in doubt, immobilize as you gather additional information about the mechanism and the patient.
These FAQs were adapted for an online continuing education lessons for EMTs and paramedics that is currently being produced for RapidCE.com by Emergency Preparedness Systems LLC
These FAQs were adapted for an online continuing education lessons for EMTs and paramedics that is currently being produced for RapidCE.com by Emergency Preparedness Systems LLC