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Sat, 02 Mar 2002 10:29:00 +0800

If the trucks have "air ride suspension" for the seats, what about the same for where the gurney & backboard are placed in the box?
FF Dave Bleam
-----Original Message-----
From: "Ramstrom, Edward" <RamstroE@ummhc.org>
Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2002 14:08:29 -0500 
To: "'trauma-list@trauma.org'" <trauma-list@trauma.org>
Subject: RE: Spinal Immobilization question


> I really have to agree with you all in regards to back boarding protocols.
> Nothing makes me more crazy than to have to board and collar someone
> complaining of "whiplash" neck pain from a minor mva, when the person is
> ambulatory, talking on the cell phone and yelling at the other person
> involved, no obvious near deficits, no obvious injuries, and minimal damage
> to the motor vehicle. It ends up in the long run being a C.Y.A move, than an
> actual medical necessity. It also now turns this "medical evaluation" into a
> potential truama workup backing up an already overtaxed ER even more.
> 
> Regarding a more patient friendly back board, We've been told here that even
> the scoop stretcher does not provide adequate spinal immobilization, would
> this mean in fact that a cushioned back board or cot mattress with out the
> hardness of a board also be inadequate spinal immobilization? That being
> said, with the condition of most of our city streets, and the suspension of
> our trucks, one would wonder if we infact cause more damage to a patient on
> a longboard bumping and banging around enroute to the hospital. 
>  Sorry for being so long winded, just a little bored.
> 
>                         Ed Ramstrom - Paramedic
>                         UMass EMS / Worcester, MA
>                         
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: P. Hoffman [mailto:phoffman@freeway.net]
> Sent: Friday, February 01, 2002 10:21 AM
> To: trauma-list@trauma.org
> Subject: RE: Spinal Immobilization question
> 
> 
> 
> I, too, have used a long board for patients who most likely did not need
> one.  And, KED (or short board device), as well.  Protocol (yes, I know
> these are "guidelines.") dictates this.  I have disregarded protocol in
> several cases.  And, in only a few of these have I been questioned by the on
> duty Doc or nurse (actually, the most serious chastisement was from a
> nurse!).
> 
> None the less, given that these long boarding protocols will most likely not
> go away soon, what about the possibility of working on the other side of the
> equation:
> 
> Can we work on making the long boards more tissue friendly?  A thick foam
> layer on top?  Do any of the in-hospital people on this list have any
> (probably anecdotal) views on the vacuum type full body splints?
> 
> If our creed includes "First do no harm," then I guess decubitis kinda fails
> here!
> 
> Phil Hoffman
> EMTP
> 
> 
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Spinal Immobilization question