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Bond C, Datta S, Milne WK. Hot off the press: Prehospital cervical spine immobilization. Acad Emerg Med 2023; 30:1279-1282. [PMID: 37750444 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Suchisimita Datta
- NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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Jao S, Wang Z, Mukhi A, Chaudhary N, Martin J, Yuan V, Laskowski R, Huang E, Vosswinkel J, Singer AJ, Jawa R. Radiographic cervical spine injury patterns in admitted blunt trauma patients with and without prehospital spinal motion restriction. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open 2023; 8:e001092. [PMID: 38020851 PMCID: PMC10668292 DOI: 10.1136/tsaco-2023-001092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Selective prehospital cervical spine motion restriction (C-SMR) following blunt trauma has increasingly been used by emergency medical service (EMS) providers. We determined rates of prehospital C-SMR and concomitant radiographic injury patterns. Methods A retrospective trauma registry and chart review was conducted for all adult blunt trauma patients who were transported by EMS and hospitalized with radiographic cervical spine injuries from 2011 to 2019 at a level 1 trauma center. Results Of 658 admitted blunt trauma patients with confirmed cervical spine injury by imaging, 117 (17.8%) did not receive prehospital C-SMR. Patients without prehospital C-SMR were significantly older (76 vs 54 years), more often had low fall as mechanism of injury (59.8% vs 15.9%) and had lower Injury Severity Score (10 vs 17). Patients without C-SMR (Non-SMR) experienced the full array of cervical spine injury types and locations. While the non-SMR patients most often had dens fractures,C-SMR patients most often had C7 fractures; frequencies of fractures at the remaining vertebral levels were comparable. On MRI, cervical spinal cord (8.5% vs 19.6%) and ligamentous injuries (5.1% vs 12.6%) occurred less often in non-SMR patients. Approximately 8.5% of non-SMR patients and 20% of C-SMR patients required cervical spine surgery. Conclusion Patients without prehospital C-SMR demonstrate a broad array of cervical spine injuries. While the rates of certain cervical injuries are lower in prehospital non-SMR patients, they are not insignificant. Level of evidence Level III.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Jao
- Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Zhe Wang
- Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Ambika Mukhi
- Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Emily Huang
- Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | | | - Adam J Singer
- Emergency Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Randeep Jawa
- Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
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McDonald N, Kriellaars D, Pryce RT. Patterns of change in prehospital spinal motion restriction: A retrospective database review. Acad Emerg Med 2023; 30:698-708. [PMID: 36734048 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute management of trauma patients with potential spine injuries has evolved from uniform spinal immobilization (SI) to spinal motion restriction (SMR). Little research exists describing how these changes have been implemented. This study aims to describe and analyze the practice of SMR in one emergency medical services (EMS) agency over the time frame of SMR adoption. METHODS This was a retrospective database review of electronic patient care reports from 2009 to 2020. The effects of key practice changes (revised documentation and a collar-only treatment option) were analyzed in an interrupted time series using the rate of SI/SMR as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included patient age, sex, acuity, mechanism of injury, treatment provided, cervical collar size, and positioning. These were assessed for changes from year to year by Poisson regression. Associations between patient and treatment characteristics were investigated with binomial logistic regression. RESULTS There were 25,747 instances of SI/SMR included. Among all patients, the median age was 40 (interquartile range 24-56), 58% (14,970) were male, and 20% (5062) were high-acuity. The rate of SI/SMR declined from 31.2 to 12.7 treatments per 100 trauma calls per month. The proportion of high-acuity patients increased by 9.6% per year on average (95% CI 8.7%-10.0%). When first available, collar-only treatment was provided to 47% of patients, rising by 6.3% per year (95% CI 3.2%-9.5%) to 60% in 2020. Collar-only treatment (compared to board-and-collar) was more likely to be applied to low-acuity patients (as compared to high): odds ratio 3.01 (95% CI 2.64-3.43). CONCLUSIONS This study shows decreasing SI/SMR treatment and changing patient and practice characteristics. These patterns of care cannot be attributed solely to formal protocol changes. Similar patterns and their possible explanations should be investigated elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil McDonald
- Applied Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Dean Kriellaars
- College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Rob T Pryce
- Department of Kinesiology and Applied Health, Gupta Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Practice patterns after implementation of a selective spinal immobilization protocol in a regional trauma system. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2022; 93:806-812. [PMID: 35234714 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000003589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Universal spinal immobilization has been the standard of prehospital trauma care since the 1960s. Selective immobilization has been shown to be safe and effective for emergency medical services use, but it is unclear whether such protocols reduce unnecessary and potentially harmful immobilization practices. This study evaluated the impact of a selective spinal immobilization protocol on practice patterns in a regional trauma system. METHODS All encounters for traumatic injury in the Tidewater Emergency Medical Services region from 2010 to 2016 were extracted from the Virginia Pre-Hospital Information Bridge. An interrupted time series analysis was used to assess practice change after system-wide protocol implementation in 2013. Intravenous access was used as a nonequivalent outcome measure in the absence of an appropriate control group. RESULTS A total of 63,981 encounters were analyzed. At baseline, 16.7% of patients underwent full immobilization. The preprotocol slope was slightly positive (0.2% per month; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-0.2%). Slope and level changes after protocol implementation did not differ from those observed for intravenous access (-0.4% vs. -0.4% per month [ p = 0.4917] and -1.6% vs. -1.1% [ p = 0.1202], respectively). Cervical spinal immobilization became more common over the postimplementation period (0.1% per month; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-0.1%). Rates of immobilization for isolated penetrating trauma remained unchanged. CONCLUSION Implementation of a selective spinal immobilization protocol did not reduce prehospital immobilization rates in a regional trauma system. Given the entrenched nature of immobilization practices, more intensive education and training strategies are needed. Efforts should prioritize eliminating immobilization for isolated penetrating trauma given its association with increased mortality. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.
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Bäcker HC, Elias P, Braun KF, Johnson MA, Turner P, Cunningham J. Cervical immobilization in trauma patients: soft collars better than rigid collars? A systematic review and meta-analysis. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY, THE EUROPEAN SPINAL DEFORMITY SOCIETY, AND THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE RESEARCH SOCIETY 2022; 31:3378-3391. [PMID: 36181555 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-022-07405-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rigid cervical spine following trauma immobilization is recommended to reduce neurological disability and provide spinal stability. Soft collars have been proposed as a good alternative because of the complications related to rigid collars. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review on soft and rigid collars in the prehospital management of cervical trauma. METHOD A systematic review was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. Search terms were (immobilization) AND (collar) AND ((neck) OR (cervical)) to evaluate the range of motion (ROM) and evidence of clinical outcome for soft and rigid collars. RESULTS A total of 18 studies met eligibility criteria including 2 clinical studies and 16 articles investigating the range of motion (ROM). Four hundred and ninety-six patients at a mean age of 32.5 years (SD 16.8) were included. Measurements were performed in a seated position in twelve studies. Eight articles reported the ROM without a collar, 7 with a soft collar, and 15 with a rigid collar. There was no significant difference in flexion/extension, bending and rotation following immobilization with soft collars compared to no collar. Rigid collars provided significantly higher stability compared to no collar (p < 0.005) and to soft collars in flexion/extension and rotation movements (p < 0.05). The retrospective clinical studies showed no significant differences in secondary spinal cord injuries for soft collar (0.5%) and for rigid collar (1.1%). One study, comparing immobilization without a collar compared to that with a rigid collar, found a significant difference in neurologic deficiency and supraclavicular nerve lesion. CONCLUSION Although rigid collars provide significant higher stability to no collar and to soft collars in flexion/ extension and rotation movements, clinical studies could not confirm a difference in neurological outcome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II, Systematic Review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik C Bäcker
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC, 3050, USA. .,Epworth Hospital Richmond, 89 Bridge Road, Richmond, VIC, 3121, USA. .,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Charité Berlin, University Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Patrick Elias
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC, 3050, USA
| | - Karl F Braun
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Charité Berlin, University Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Trauma Surgery, Technical University Munich, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Peter Turner
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC, 3050, USA.,Epworth Hospital Richmond, 89 Bridge Road, Richmond, VIC, 3121, USA
| | - John Cunningham
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC, 3050, USA.,Epworth Hospital Richmond, 89 Bridge Road, Richmond, VIC, 3121, USA
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McDonald N, Kriellaars D, Pryce RT. Paramedic attitudes towards prehospital spinal care: a cross-sectional survey. BMC Emerg Med 2022; 22:162. [PMID: 36123619 PMCID: PMC9487099 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-022-00717-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The optimal application of spinal motion restriction (SMR) in the prehospital setting continues to be debated. Few studies have examined how changing guidelines have been received and interpreted by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. This study surveys paramedics' attitudes, observations, and self-reported practices around the treatment of potential spine injuries in the prehospital setting. METHODS This was a cross-sectional survey of a North American EMS agency. After development and piloting, the final version of the survey contained four sections covering attitudes towards 1) general practice, 2) specific techniques, 3) assessment protocols, and 4) mechanisms of injury (MOI). Questions used Likert-scale, multiple-choice, yes/no, and free-text responses. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to identify latent constructs within responses, and factor scores were analyzed by ordinal logistic regression for associations with demographic characteristics (including qualification level, gender, and years of experience). MOI evaluations were assessed for inter-rater reliability (Fleiss' kappa). Inductive qualitative content analysis, following Elo & Kyngäs (2008), was used to examine free-text responses. RESULTS Two hundred twenty responses were received (36% of staff). Raw results indicated that respondents felt that SMR was seen as less important than in the past, that they were treating fewer patients than previously, and that they follow protocol in most situations. The EFA identified two factors: one (Judging MOIs) captured paramedics' estimation that the presented MOI could potentially cause a spine injury, and another (Treatment Value) reflected respondents' composite view of the effectiveness, importance, and applicability of SMR. Respondents with advanced life support (ALS) qualification were more likely to be skeptical of the value of SMR compared to those at the basic life support (BLS) level (OR: 2.40, 95%CI: 1.21-4.76, p = 0.01). Overall, respondents showed fair agreement in the evaluation of MOIs (k = 0.31, 95%CI: 0.09-0.49). Content analysis identified tension expressed by respondents between SMR-as-directed and SMR-as-applied. CONCLUSION Results of this survey show that EMS personnel are skeptical of many elements of SMR but use various strategies to balance protocol adherence with optimizing patient care. While identifying several areas for future research, these findings argue for incorporating provider feedback and judgement into future guideline revision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil McDonald
- Applied Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. .,Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, 2546 McPhillips St, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2P 2T2, Canada.
| | - Dean Kriellaars
- College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences University of Manitoba, 771 Mc Dermot Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0T6, Canada
| | - Rob T Pryce
- Department of Kinesiology and Applied Health, Gupta Faculty of Kinesiology University of Winnipeg, 400 Spence St, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 2E9, Canada
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A T2 Translational Science Modified Delphi Study: Spinal Motion Restriction in a Resource-Scarce Environment. Prehosp Disaster Med 2020; 35:538-545. [PMID: 32641192 DOI: 10.1017/s1049023x20000862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Emerging evidence is guiding changes in prehospital management of potential spinal injuries. The majority of settings related to current recommendations are in resource-rich environments (RREs), whereas there is a lack of guidance on the provision of spinal motion restriction (SMR) in resource-scarce environments (RSEs), such as: mass-casualty incidents (MCIs); low-middle income countries; complex humanitarian emergencies; conflict zones; and prolonged transport times. The application of Translational Science (TS) in the Disaster Medicine (DM) context was used to develop this study, leading to statements that can be used in the creation of evidence-based clinical guidelines (CGs). OBJECTIVE What is appropriate SMR in RSEs? METHODS The first round of this modified Delphi (mD) study was a structured focus group conducted at the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM) Congress in Brisbane Australia on May 9, 2019. The result of the focus group discussion of open-ended questions produced ten statements that were added to ten statements derived from Fischer (2018) to create the second mD round questionnaire.Academic researchers and educators, operational first responders, or first receivers of patients with suspected spinal injuries were identified to be mD experts. Experts rated their agreement with each statement on a seven-point linear numeric scale. Consensus amongst experts was defined as a standard deviation ≤1.0. Statements that were in agreement reaching consensus were included in the final report; those that were not in agreement but reached consensus were removed from further consideration. Those not reaching consensus advanced to the third mD round.For subsequent rounds, experts were shown the mean response and their own response for each of the remaining statements and asked to reconsider their rating. As above, those that did not reach consensus advanced to the next round until consensus was reached for each statement. RESULTS Twenty-two experts agreed to participate with 19 completing the second mD round and 16 completing the third mD round. Eleven statements reached consensus. Nine statements did not reach consensus. CONCLUSIONS Experts reached consensus offering 11 statements to be incorporated into the creation of SMR CGs in RSEs. The nine statements that did not reach consensus can be further studied and potentially modified to determine if these can be considered in SMR CGs in RSEs.
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Castro-Marin F, Gaither JB, Rice AD, N Blust R, Chikani V, Vossbrink A, Bobrow BJ. Prehospital Protocols Reducing Long Spinal Board Use Are Not Associated with a Change in Incidence of Spinal Cord Injury. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2020; 24:401-410. [PMID: 31348691 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2019.1645923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Many emergency medical services (EMS) agencies have de-emphasized or eliminated the use of long spinal boards (LSB) for patients with possible spinal injury. We sought to determine if implementation of spinal motion restriction (SMR) protocols, which reduce LSB use, was associated with an increase in spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: This retrospective observational study includes EMS encounters from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015 submitted by SMR-adopting ground-based agencies to a state EMS database with hospital discharge data. Encounters were excluded if SMR implementation date was unknown, occurred during a 3-month run-in period, or were duplicates. Study samples include patients with traumatic injury (TI), possible spinal trauma (P-ST), and verified spinal trauma (V-ST) using hospital discharge ICD-9/10 diagnosis codes. The incidence of SCI before and after implementation of SMR was compared using Chi-squared and logistic regression. Results: From 1,005,978 linked encounters, 104,315 unique encounters with traumatic injury and known SMR implementation date were identified with 51,199 cases of P-ST and 5,178 V-ST cases. The incidence of SCI in the pre-SMR and post-SMR interval for each group was: TI, 0.20% vs. 0.22% (p = 0.390); P-ST, 0.40% vs. 0.45% (p = 0.436); and V-ST, 4.04% vs. 4.37% (p = 0.561). Age and injury severity adjusted odds ratio of SCI in the highest risk cohort of patients with V-ST was 1.097 after SMR implementation (95% CI 0.818-1.472). Conclusion: In this limited study, no change in the incidence of SCI was identified following implementation of SMR protocols. Prospective evaluation of this question is necessary to evaluate the safety of SMR protocols.
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Thézard F, McDonald N, Kriellaars D, Giesbrecht G, Weldon E, Pryce RT. Effects of Spinal Immobilization and Spinal Motion Restriction on Head-Neck Kinematics during Ambulance Transport. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2019; 23:811-819. [PMID: 30779605 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2019.1584833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To determine the influence of ambulance motion on head-neck (H-N) kinematics and to compare the effectiveness of two spinal precaution (SP) protocols: spinal immobilization (SI) and spinal motion reduction (SMR). Methods: Eighteen healthy volunteers (7 females) underwent a series of standardized ambulance transport tasks, across various speeds, under the two SP protocols in a balanced order (n = 12 drivers, n = 7 ambulances). Inertial measurement units were placed on participants' heads and sternums, with another affixed to the stretcher mattress frame. Outcome measures included H-N displacement and acceleration. Results: Ambulance accelerations varied across driving tasks (2.5-9.5 m/s2) and speeds (3.0-6.2 m/s2) and resulted in a wide range of H-N displacements (7.2-22.6 deg) and H-N accelerations (1.4-10.9 m/s2). Relative to SMR, SI resulted in reduced H-N motion during turning, accelerating, and speed bumps (1.9-10.7 deg; 0.4-2.6 m/s2), but increased H-N accelerations during abrupt starts/stops and some higher speed tasks (0.4-2.5 m/s2). Ambulance acceleration was moderately correlated to H-N acceleration (r = 0.68) and displacement (r = 0.42). Conclusion: H-N motion was somewhat coupled to ambulance acceleration and varied across a wide range, regardless of SP approach. In general, SI resulted in a modest reduction in H-N displacement and acceleration, with some exceptions. The results inform clinical decisions on SP practice during prehospital transport and demonstrate a novel approach to quantifying H-N motion in prehospital care.
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Abstract
STUDY DESIGN This was a prospective simulator study with 16 healthy male subjects. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the relative efficacy of immobilization systems in limiting involuntary movements of the cervical spine using a dynamic simulation model. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Relatively few studies have tested the efficacy of immobilization methods for limiting involuntary cervical movement, and only one of these studies used a dynamic simulation system to do so. METHODS Immobilization configurations tested were cot alone, cot with cervical collar, long spine board (LSB) with cervical collar and head blocks, and vacuum mattress (VM) with cervical collar. A motion platform reproduced shocks and vibrations from ambulance and helicopter field rides, as well as more severe shocks and vibrations that might be encountered on rougher terrain and in inclement weather (designated as an "augmented" ride). Motion capture technology quantitated involuntary cervical rotation, flexion/extension, and lateral bend. The mean and 95% confidence interval of the mean were calculated for the root mean square of angular changes from the starting position and for the maximum range of motion. RESULTS All configurations tested decreased cervical rotation and flexion/extension relative to the cot alone. However, the LSB and VM were significantly more effective in decreasing cervical rotation than the cervical collar, and the LSB decreased rotation more than the VM in augmented rides. The LSB and VM, but not the cervical collar, significantly limited cervical lateral bend relative to the cot alone. CONCLUSION Under the study conditions, the LSB and the VM were more effective in limiting cervical movement than the cervical collar. Under some conditions, the LSB decreased repetitive and acute movements more than the VM. Further studies using simulation and other approaches will be essential for determining the safest, most effective configuration should providers choose to immobilize patients with suspected spinal injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.
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Abstract
Since the early 1970s, initial management of patients with suspected spinal injuries has involved the use of a cervical collar and long spine board for full immobilization, which was thought to prevent additional injury to the cervical spine. Despite a growing body of literature demonstrating the detrimental effects and questionable efficacy of spinal immobilization, the practice continued until 2013, when the National Association of EMS Physicians issued a position statement calling for a reduction in the use of spinal immobilization and a shift to spinal-motion restriction. This article examines the literature that prompted the change in spinal-injury management and the virtual elimination of the long spine board as a tool for transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis X Feld
- Anesthesia Department, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Passavant Hospital, PA
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Comparing the Efficacy of Methods for Immobilizing the Thoracic-Lumbar Spine. Air Med J 2018; 37:178-185. [PMID: 29735231 DOI: 10.1016/j.amj.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the relative efficacy of immobilization systems in limiting thoracic-lumbar movements. METHODS A dynamic simulation system was used to reproduce transport-related shocks and vibration, and involuntary movements of the thoracic-lumbar region were measured using 3 immobilization configurations. RESULTS The vacuum mattress and the long spine board were generally more effective than the cot alone in reducing thoracic-lumbar rotation and flexion/extension. However, the vacuum mattress reduced these thoracic-lumbar movements to a greater extent than the long spine board. In addition, the vacuum mattress significantly decreased thoracic-lumbar lateral movement relative to the cot alone under all simulated transport conditions. In contrast, the long spine board allowed greater lateral movement than the cot alone in a number of the simulated transport rides. CONCLUSION Under the study conditions, the vacuum mattress was more effective for limiting involuntary movements of the thoracic-lumbar region than the long spine board. Moreover, the increased lateral bend observed with the long spine board under some conditions suggests it may be inadequate for immobilizing this anatomic region as presently designed. Should emergency medical service providers choose to immobilize patients with suspected injuries of the thoracic-lumbar spine, study results support the use of the vacuum mattress.
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Swartz EE, Tucker WS, Nowak M, Roberto J, Hollingworth A, Decoster LC, Trimarco TW, Mihalik JP. Prehospital Cervical Spine Motion: Immobilization Versus Spine Motion Restriction. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2018; 22:630-636. [DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2018.1431341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Larson S, Delnat AU, Moore J. The Use of Clinical Cervical Spine Clearance in Trauma Patients: A Literature Review. J Emerg Nurs 2017; 44:368-374. [PMID: 29203049 DOI: 10.1016/j.jen.2017.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Five million patients in America are placed in spinal immobilization annually, with only 1% to 2% of these patients suffering from an unstable cervical spine injury. Prehospital agencies are employing selective and limited immobilization practices, but there is concern that this practice misses cervical spine injuries and therefore possibly predisposes patients to worsening injuries. METHODS A systematic review was conducted that examined literature from the last 5 years that reviewed cervical spine immobilization application and/or clearance in alert trauma patients. RESULTS Prehospital selective immobilization protocols and bedside clinical clearance examinations are becoming more commonplace, with few missed injuries or poor outcomes. Prehospital providers can evaluate patients in the field safely to assess who needs or does not need cervical collars; similar criteria can be used in the emergency department. Harm from cervical collars is increasingly documented, with concerns that risks exceed possible benefits. DISCUSSION The literature suggests that alert trauma patients can be cleared from cervical spine immobilization safely through a structured algorithm in either the prehospital or ED setting. The evidence is primarily observational. Thus, many providers who fear missing cervical injuries may be reluctant to follow the recommendations despite few or no published cases of sudden deterioration from missed cervical spine injuries.
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Gordillo Martin R, Alcaráz PE, Rodriguez LJ, Fernandez-Pacheco AN, Marín-Cascales E, Freitas TT, Rios MP. Effect of training in advanced trauma life support on the kinematics of the spine: A simulation study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017; 96:e7587. [PMID: 29310322 PMCID: PMC5728723 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000007587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 7.5 million people in the world are affected by spinal cord injury (SCI). In this study, we aimed to analyze the effect of training in advanced trauma life support (ATLS) on the kinematics of the spine when performing different mobilization and immobilization techniques on patients with suspected SCI. A quasi-experimental study, clinical simulation, was carried out to determine the effect of training in ATLS on 32 students enrolled in the Master's program of Emergency and Special Care Nursing. The evaluation was performed through 2 maneuvers: placing of the scoop stretcher (SS) and spinal board (SB), with an actor who simulated a clinical situation of suspected spinal injury. The misalignment of the spine was measured with the use of a Vicon 3D motion capture system, before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the training. In the overall misalignment of both maneuvers, statistically significant differences were found between the pre-test misalignment of 62.1° ± 25.9°, and the post-test misalignment of 32.3° ± 10.0°, with a difference between means of 29.7° [(95% confidence interval, 95% CI 22.8-36.6°), (P = .001)]. The results obtained for the placing of the SS showed that there was a pre-test misalignment of 65.1° ± 28.7°, and a post-test misalignment of 33.2° ± 10.1°, with a difference of means of 33.9° [(95% CI, 23.1-44.6°), (P = .001)]. During the placing of the SB, a pre-test misalignment of 59.0° ± 28.7° and a post-test misalignment of 33.4° ± 10.0° were obtained, as well as a difference of means of 25.6° [(95% CI 16.6-34.6°), (P = .001)]. The main conclusion of this study is that training in ATLS decreases the misalignment provoked during the utilization of the SS and SB, regardless of the device used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Gordillo Martin
- Doctoral Program in Health Sciences and Professor of the Faculty of Nursing of the Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM) and Nurse in the Emergency Services 061 (112) of Murcia, Spain
| | - Pedro E. Alcaráz
- Director of Research Center for High Performance Sport, Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM)
| | - Laura Juguera Rodriguez
- Professor of the Faculty of Nursing at The Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM) and Nurse in the Emergency Services 061 (112) of Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio Nieto Fernandez-Pacheco
- Professor of the Faculty of Nursing of the Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM) and Medical Doctor in the Emergency Services 061 (112) of Murcia, Spain
| | - Elena Marín-Cascales
- Researcher at Center for High Performance Sport, Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM)
| | - Tomás T. Freitas
- Researcher at Center for High Performance Sport, Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM)
| | - Manuel Pardo Rios
- Professor of the Faculty of Nursing of the Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM) and Nurse in the Emergency Services 061 (112) of Murcia, Spain
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McCoy CE, Loza-Gomez A, Lee Puckett J, Costantini S, Penalosa P, Anderson C, Schultz C. Quantifying the Risk of Spinal Injury in Motor Vehicle Collisions According to Ambulatory Status: A Prospective Analytical Study. J Emerg Med 2016; 52:151-159. [PMID: 27769611 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2016.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between ambulation at the scene of a motor vehicle collision (MVC) and spinal injury has never been quantified. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between ambulation and spinal injury in patients involved in a MVC. METHODS Prospective analytical-observational cohort study. Inclusion: patients sustaining traumatic injury in a MVC. Exclusion: < 18 years old, pregnancy. PRIMARY OUTCOME spinal injury defined as injury to the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spinal cord, bones, or ligaments. Secondary outcome: Injury resulting in neurological deficit, need for surgery, or death. A generalized linear model was used to evaluate the association between outcome and predictor variables. Risk ratios [RR] were reported with a point estimate and 95% confidence interval (CI). A two-tailed alpha of < 0.05 was the threshold for statistical significance. RESULTS There were 704 patients analyzed. Nonambulatory patients were 2.29 times more likely to sustain a spinal injury, compared to ambulatory patients (RR 2.29, 95% CI 1.34-3.91). Patients ≥ 65 years of age were 3.27 times more likely to sustain a spinal injury (RR 3.27, 95% CI 1.66-6.45). Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 8 were 4.93 times more likely to sustain a spinal injury (RR 4.93, 95% CI 1.86-13.10). CONCLUSION In this prospective analytical-observational study evaluating the association between ambulatory status and spinal injury in patients involved in MVCs, we observed that those patients who were nonambulatory were more than two times as likely to have a spinal injury compared to those patients who were ambulatory at the scene.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angelica Loza-Gomez
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Orange, California
| | - James Lee Puckett
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Orange, California
| | - Samantha Costantini
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Orange, California
| | - Patrick Penalosa
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Orange, California
| | - Craig Anderson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Orange, California
| | - Carl Schultz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Orange, California
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17
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McDonald NE, Curran-Sills G, Thomas RE. Outcomes and characteristics of non-immobilised, spine-injured trauma patients: a systematic review of prehospital selective immobilisation protocols. Emerg Med J 2016; 33:732-40. [PMID: 26400866 DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2015-204693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This review assesses prehospital selective immobilisation protocols across a range of outcomes, including neurological deterioration and characteristics of injured, non-immobilised patients. METHODS Six electronic reference databases and eight grey literature sources were systematically searched. We included studies that enrolled acute trauma patients in the prehospital setting who were assessed for spine injury according to predefined clinical criteria and either immobilised or not. Data items included instances of neurological deterioration among patients with spine injuries, as well as available characteristics of those who were injured and not immobilised. Available data and study heterogeneity prevented meta-analyses. Bias was assessed for both individual studies and across studies by outcome. RESULTS 604 unique articles were retrieved, of which 7 met inclusion criteria. There was moderate or high risk of bias across studies in all outcomes. Of 76 patients with spine injuries who were not immobilised, 72 had no neurological deficit that appeared after emergency medical services contact, and the remaining four were not followed. Within this group, there appears to be a trend towards elderly patients who suffered a thoracic or lumbar injury from a low-risk mechanism of injury. Among studies that report both the results of the protocol assessment and immobilisation status, there is variable correspondence between the two. CONCLUSIONS Data limitations and study biases suggest caution when interpreting and applying the results of this review. Its findings are consistent with the conclusions of individual studies. The characteristics of injured, non-immobilised patients point to areas of future research to investigate apparent trends.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gwynn Curran-Sills
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Roger E Thomas
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Jones Rhodes W, Steinbruner D, Finck L, Flarity K. Community Implementation of a Prehospital Spinal Immobilization Guideline. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2016; 20:792-797. [DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2016.1194932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Hemmes B, Jeukens CRLPN, Kemerink GJ, Brink PRG, Poeze M. Effect of spinal immobilisation devices on radiation exposure in conventional radiography and computed tomography. Emerg Radiol 2016; 23:147-53. [PMID: 26754428 PMCID: PMC4805719 DOI: 10.1007/s10140-015-1371-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Trauma patients at risk for, or suspected of, spinal injury are frequently transported to hospital using full spinal immobilisation. At the emergency department, immobilisation is often maintained until radiological work-up is completed. In this study, we examined how these devices influence radiation exposure and noise, as a proxy for objective image quality. Conventional radiographs (CR) and computer tomography (CT) scans were made using a phantom immobilised on two types of spineboard and a vacuum mattress and using two types of headblocks. Images were compared for radiation transmission and quantitative image noise. In CR, up to 23 % and, in CT, up to 11 % of radiation were blocked by the devices. Without compensation for the decreased transmission, noise increased by up to 16 % in CT, depending on the device used. Removing the headblocks led to a statistically significant improvement in transmission with automatic exposure control (AEC) enabled. Physicians should make an informed decision whether the increased radiation exposure outweighs the risk of missing a clinically significant injury by not making a CR or CT scan. Manufacturers of immobilisation devices should take radiological properties of their devices into account in the development and production process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baukje Hemmes
- Network Acute Care Limburg, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Cécile R L P N Jeukens
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Gerrit J Kemerink
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter R G Brink
- Network Acute Care Limburg, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn Poeze
- Network Acute Care Limburg, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- NUTRIM, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Prehospital Spinal Immobilization: Effect of Effort on Kinematics of Voluntary Head-neck Motion Assessed using Accelerometry. Prehosp Disaster Med 2015; 31:36-42. [PMID: 26674843 DOI: 10.1017/s1049023x1500552x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Standards for immobilizing potentially spine-injured patients in the prehospital environment are evolving. Current guidelines call for more research into treatment practices. Available research into spinal immobilization (SI) reveals a number of limitations. PROBLEM There are currently few techniques for measuring head and neck motion that address identified limitations and can be adapted to clinically relevant scenarios. This study investigates one possible method. METHODS Study participants were fitted with miniaturized accelerometers to record head motion. Participants were exposed to three levels of restraint: none, cervical-collar only, and full immobilization. In each condition, participants were instructed to move in single planes, with multiple iterations at each of four levels of effort. Participants were also instructed to move continuously in multiple planes, with iterations at each of three levels of simulated patient movement. Peak and average displacement and acceleration were calculated for each immobilization condition and level of effort. Comparisons were made with video-based measurement. Participant characteristics also were tracked. RESULTS Acceleration and displacement of the head increased with effort and decreased with more restraint. In some conditions, participants generated measurable acceleration with minimal displacement. Continuous, multi-dimensional motions produced greater displacement and acceleration than single-plane motions under similar conditions. CONCLUSION Study results suggest a number of findings: acceleration complements displacement as a measure of motion in potentially spine-injured patients; participant effort has an effect on outcome measures; and continuous, multi-dimensional motion can produce results that differ from single-plane motions. Miniaturized accelerometers are a promising technology for future research to investigate these findings in realistic, clinically relevant scenarios.
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Dixon M, O'Halloran J, Hannigan A, Keenan S, Cummins NM. Confirmation of suboptimal protocols in spinal immobilisation? Emerg Med J 2015; 32:939-45. [PMID: 26362582 PMCID: PMC4717352 DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2014-204553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Spinal immobilisation during extrication of patients in road traffic collisions is routinely used despite the lack of evidence for this practice. In a previous proof of concept study (n=1), we recorded up to four times more cervical spine movement during extrication using conventional techniques than self-controlled extrication. Objective The objective of this study was to establish, using biomechanical analysis which technique provides the minimal deviation of the cervical spine from the neutral in-line position during extrication from a vehicle in a larger sample of variable age, height and mass. Methods A crew of two paramedics and four fire-fighters extricated 16 immobilised participants from a vehicle using six techniques for each participant. Participants were marked with biomechanical sensors and relative movement between the sensors was captured via high-speed infrared motion analysis cameras. A three-dimensional mathematical model was developed and a repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare movement across extrication techniques. Results Controlled self-extrication without a collar resulted in a mean movement of 13.33° from the neutral in-line position of the cervical spine compared to a mean movement of 18.84° during one of the equipment-aided extrications. Two equipment-aided techniques had significantly higher movement (p<0.05) than other techniques. Both height (p=0.003) and mass (p=0.02) of the participants were significant independent predictors of movement. Conclusions These data support the findings of the proof of concept study, for haemodynamically stable patients controlled self-extrication causes less movement of the cervical spine than extrications performed using traditional prehospital rescue equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Dixon
- Paramedic Studies Department, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Joseph O'Halloran
- Physical Education and Sport Sciences Department, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Ailish Hannigan
- Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Scott Keenan
- Fire and Rescue Service, Limerick City and County Council, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Niamh M Cummins
- Centre for Prehospital Research, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
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