Firefighting & Rescue Social / Professional Network
We Cannot Do Spinal Clearance
There was an intersting thread a little while ago which I feel unfortunately got shut down a bit prematurely in relation to the over use of the spine board.
http://www.firefighternation.com/forum/topics/using-the-spine-board...
There was an overwhelming response that you can't over use it, and I'd agree.
I was hoping to explore further the issue around spinal clearance.
A couple of quotes I posted on that discussion that I beleive are importnant to explore, "....that the use of spine board can contribute to further complicaitons, I'd go on a limb and suggest that the techniques being used are not up to date with the latest techniques.
There is some very good research (3 published and 1 university thesis on board comfort) on the correct packaging and techniques, including padding of the patient, which resolves all issues of comfort. Sadly most orgainsations ignore these studies. (3 of which are available to read here http://www.neann.com/Board%20Comfort.htm )
I was a contributing author to a book titled, "A Photographic Guide To Prehospital Spinal Care" and I've asked Anthony the author to weigh in on this discussion. I'd suggest that what he doesn't know about prehospital spinal care is not worth knowing. Page 209 of the manual talks about these studies and the outcomes.
You can download and read the 240 page manual for free at http://emergencytechnologies.com.au/psm.htm"
And also, "...To those that beleive you have a "spinal clearance protocol", I'd suggest that the terminology is incorrect and possibly leading to a false sense of security in the field.
The protocol is actually a "Selective Spinal Immobilisation" protocol where you select patients to immobilised and don't immobilise patients who don't meet the criteria.
Spinal clearance can only be performed by a Doctor using techniques/equipment such as X-Ray and CT.
While it may be semantics, it is important that people understand the difference beyween the two terms."
Tags: board, clearance, emt, extrication, medic, spinal, spine
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