Spinal Injury
| Description: | This guideline replaces the Neck and Back Trauma guideline.- Immobilise the whole spine until it is positively cleared.- Immobilise the whole spine in all unconscious blunt trauma patients.- Falls are a frequent cause of SCI in the older person. Maintain a high index of suspicion in cases of older people who have had low energy falls.- If the cervical spine is immobilised, the thoracic and lumbar spine also needs immobilisation.- Asking a patient to self-extricate is acceptable, but is not clearing the cervical spine.- Standard immobilisation is by means of collar (unless contraindicated or counterproductive), head blocks, tape and scoop.- Longboard is solely used as an extrication device, and not for transporting patients to hospital.- Aspiration of vomit, pressure sores and raised intracranial pressure are major complications of immobilisation.- Red flag signs and symptoms of the medical emergency Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) are covered.- A new immobilisation algorithm is presented. |
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| Date Update Posted Online: | September 7, 2017 |
| Book: | Reference Edition |
| Section Title: | Spinal Injury and Spinal Cord Injury |
| Guidelines Print Date: | September 20, 2017 |
