Spinal board
Spinal board | |
---|---|
Other names |
A spinal board,
Due to lack of evidence to support long-term use, the practice of keeping people on long boards for prolonged periods of time is decreasing.[8][9]
Extrication uses
The spinal backboard was originally designed as a device to remove people from a vehicle. After a time people were simply kept on the spine board for transport without evidence supporting this need.[5][10]
Medical uses
A spinal board is primarily indicated for judicious use to transport people who may have had a
Despite its history of use, there is no evidence that backboards immobilize the spine, nor do they improve the person's outcomes. Additionally, cervical spine motion restriction has been shown to increase mortality in people with penetrating trauma and can cause pain, agitation, respiratory compromise, and can lead to the development of
Adverse effects
Common clinical issues found with spinal boards include
It is advised that no patient should spend more than 30 minutes on a spine board, due to the development of discomfort and pressure sores.[5]
Backboards were invented to be a "highly polished surface" to move a person to an EMS bed, not to be used as spinal securing device.[citation needed]
Construction
Backboards are almost always used in conjunction with the following devices:[citation needed]
- a cervical collar with occipital padding as needed;
- side head supports, such as a rolled blanket or head blocks (head immobilizer) made specifically for this purpose, used to avoid the lateral rotation of the head;
- straps to secure the patient to the long spine board, and tape to secure the head
Spine boards are typically made of wood or plastic, although there has been a strong shift away from wood boards due to their higher level of maintenance required to keep them in operable condition and to protect them from cracks and other imperfections that could harbor bacteria.
Backboards are designed to be slightly wider and longer than the average human body to accommodate the immobilization straps, and have handles for carrying the patient. Most backboards are designed to be completely X-ray translucent so that they do not interfere with the exam while patients are strapped to them. They are light enough to be easily carried by one person, and are usually buoyant.
Alternatives
The vacuum mattress may reduce sacral pressures compared to backboards. The conforming nature of the vacuum mattress means that people can be kept immobilized on it for longer periods of time and the immobilisation offers superior stability and comfort.[15] The Kendrick extrication device is another alternative.[16]
References
- ^ "Online training manual for Neann Long Spine Board". Neann.
- ^ a b Whatling, Shaun. Beach Lifeguarding. Royal Life Saving Society.
- ISSN 1447-4999.
- ^ PMID 11310463.
- ^ a b c Ambulance Service Basic Training 3rd Edition. IHCD. 2003.
- ^ "Red Cross Lifeguard Management Guide".
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(help) - ^ Cf. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Chapter 3.
- PMID 23962031.
- PMID 26473003.
- ^ Wesley, Karen. "Weighing the Pros & Cons of Current Spine Immobilization Techniques". JEMS. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
- ^ a b c National Association of EMS Physicians and American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. January 15, 2013 Position Statement: EMS Spinal Precautions and the Use of the Long Backboard
- PMID 23717917.
- ^ "The Evidence Against Backboards". EMS World. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- ^ Tasker-Lynch, Aidan. "Spinal Boards do NOT work". 18 (1). Emergency Medicine Journal: 51–54.
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(help) - PMID 12954698.
- ISBN 9780781745963.