Selective Spinal Immobilization

Question 1

BACKBOARD “MAY BE” USED FOR

Answer 1

BARIATRIC OR HARD TO MOVE PATIENT
EXTRICATION
NEUROLOGICAL COMPLAINT OF NUMBNESS OR WEAKNESS
ANATOMIC DEFORMITY OF THE SPINE
BLUNT TRAUMA WITH ALTERED LOC
HIGH ENERGY MECHANISM PLUS:
-DRUGS OR ALCOHOL
-INABILITY TO COMMUNICATE
-DISTRACTING INJURY
USE A BACK RAFT FOR COMFORT

Question 2

MOVEMENT WITHOUT BACKBOARD

Answer 2

LOG ROLL OR LIFT AND SLIDE

HEAD OF GURNEY MAY BE ELEVATED

Question 3

CONSIDER C COLLAR FOR MAJOR TRAUMA

Answer 3

HIGH SPEED MVA
FALL FROM >10"
AXIAL LOADING INJURY (SHALLOW DIVE)
COMOTOSE IF TRAUMA IS SUSPECTED
USE TOWEL ROLLS TO FILL VOID SPACES

Question 4

REGARDLESS, NO C COLLAR NEEDED IF ALL MET (8 OR OLDER)

Answer 4

NO MIDLINE SPINAL TENDERNESS
NO NEUROLOGICAL COMPLAINT (NUMBNESS, WEAKNESS, TINGLING)
NO EVIDENCE OF INTOXICATION
NO ALTERED LOC
NO DISTRACTING INJURY

Question 5

AVOID C COLLAR IF

Answer 5

PX IS VOMITTING
COMBATIVE PX
ISOLATED PENETRATING TRAUMA

Question 6

NO MORE STANDING TAKE DOWNS

Answer 6

NOTE

Question 7

REMOVE COLLAR FOR ADVANCED AIRWAY

Answer 7

MANUALLY MAINTAIN HEAD

REPLACE WHEN DONE

Question 8

PATIENT <8

Answer 8

USE JUDGEMENT
WHEN IN DOUBT, IMMOBILIZE
MAY USE CAR SEAT (ADD C COLLAR)
PADDING UNDER BODY HELPS CORRECT FOR LARGER OCCIPUT

Question 9

PATIENT >65

Answer 9

ELDERLY PEOPLE WITH MINOR TRAUMA (GROUND LEVEL FALL)
WHEN IN DOUBT, IMMOBILIZE
USE PADDING AS NEEDED TO FILL VOID SPOTS (KYPHOSIS, LORDOSIS)