Pre-hospital Spinal Motion Restriction Guidelines Adult (>16 Years Old) Trauma Patients
NOTS Trauma Triage Center: Maintain manual in-line spinal stabilization until completing a patient assessment 216.778.7850 Patients with only penetrating trauma, regardless of whether Reference: deficits are present, should not be placed in SMR NAEMSP and ACS COT Position Assume spinal motion restriction is indicated until proven otherwise Statement- EMS Spinal Precautions and When in doubt, utilize full spinal motion restriction the Use of the Long Backboard (12-2012) NEXUS and Canadian C-spine Rule
Patients exhibiting: Blunt trauma and altered level of consciousness Full Spinal Motion Restriction Any level spinal pain/tenderness and/or significant findings (crepitus, YES A variety of methods deformity or other irregular findings during palpation of the spine) can be used to achieve Neurological complaint (i.e. numbness, tingling, motor weakness, etc) full SMR. Page 2 of the High-energy mechanism of injury and the presence of: guideline outlines some o Drug or alcohol impairment acceptable methods o Inability to communicate o Distracting injury o Inability to ambulate
NO Patients exhibiting: Limited Spinal Motion Cervical pain/tenderness during palpation without neurological Restriction findings YES A variety of methods can Patients must have: be used to achieve o Normal level of consciousness (GCS = 15) limited SMR. Page 2 of o Ability to communicate the guideline outlines o Ability to ambulate some acceptable
o No drug or alcohol impairment methods o No distracting injuries
NO
Patients exhibiting: No Spinal Motion Restriction No spine tenderness or anatomic abnormality YES is indicated Patients must have: Special considerations o Normal level of consciousness (GCS = 15) are listed on Page 2 of o Ability to communicate this guideline. Review o Ability to ambulate special considerations o No drug or alcohol impairment that may apply o No distracting injuries
High Risk Factors:
See bottom High Risk Factors at the bottom of page 2
“right patient, right place, right time” Adopted 03/16 Methods of Achieving Spinal Motion Restriction Adult (>16 Years Old) Trauma Patients
NOTS Trauma Triage Center: Penetrating Trauma without other mechanism of injury (with or 216.778.7850 without deficits ) - Spinal Motion Restriction not indicated Reference:
Appropriate full spinal motion restriction can be achieved using ANY one of the NAEMSP and ACS COT Position Statement- EMS Spinal Precautions and following options: the Use of the Long Backboard (12-2012) Cervical collar or towels and blankets minimizing the movement of NEXUS and Canadian C-spine Rule the cervical spine AND: o A long backboard or Reeves stretcher (with sheet under the patient) with voids padded appropriately secured with a High Risk/Suspicion minimum of three straps OR Document pertinent o A vacuum mattress (with sheet under patient) molded to positive and/or negative patient’s body to minimize motion OR findings supporting the o Laying supine on a firm mattress as warranted by assessment, need for full SMR provided efforts are made to reduce spinal motion If clinical indications
warrant (i.e. respiratory In cases where there is concern that full SMR increases pain or symptoms, distress), may place secure in a position of comfort (with or without c-collar, long board, etc.) patient with longboard or
Reeves in reverse Providers must document pertinent positive and/or negative findings Trendelenberg position supporting the above decision up to 30 degrees. Pad
voids below device.
Appropriate cervical motion restriction can be achieved using ANY one of the following options: Cervical collar or towels and blankets minimizing the movement of Moderate/Low risk/Suspicion the cervical spine Document pertinent Patient’s may be transported in a supine or semi-fowler’s position positive and/or negative depending on the individual patient need findings supporting the need for limited SMR Providers must document pertinent positive and/or negative findings supporting the above decision
Consider High Risk Factors: EMS Provider Judgment: Patients > 65 years of age, specifically patients with obvious head If unsure of appropriate trauma (hematoma, lacerations, abrasions, etc.), consider cervical level of SMR, always make motion restriction determination to protect Osteoporosis or ankylosing spondylitis (inflammatory disease which the patient can fuse the spine, reducing flexibility) Evaluate SMR patients Chronic steroid use before and after restriction Axial loading and document Inability to ambulate
“right patient, right place, right time”