While the backboard is a useful spinal protection tool during extrication, use of backboards is not without risk, as they have been shown to cause respiratory compromise, pain, and pressure sores. Backboards also alter a patient’s physical exam, resulting in unnecessary radiographs.
Is a backboard used to move patients?
The medical backboard is one of the most commonly used pieces of equipment out of all of them. A medical backboard helps medical personnel move patients from wheelchairs to beds, toilets, cars, stair lifts and other locations. Due to this, a medical backboard is a necessity among people with limited mobility.
What does the current literature say about the use of backboards on patients that EMS transports?
What does the current literature say about the use of backboards on patients that EMS transports? … Each patient with suspected or known trauma should be immobilized.
What are backboards used for?
It is designed to provide rigid support during movement of a person with suspected spinal or limb injuries. They are most commonly used by ambulance staff, as well as lifeguards and ski patrollers. Historically, backboards were also used in an attempt to “improve the posture” of young people, especially girls.
Do backboards benefit blunt or penetrating trauma patients?
So what is the final verdict on backboards, collars, immobilization and EMS? It is clear that for patients with penetrating trauma do not backboard. Provide spinal motion restriction and consider placement of a collar as appropriate.
Does the Spineboard work?
There is no evidence that the long spine board is safe. There is evidence that the long spine board may increase the rate of disability – exactly the opposite of what we want to do. This study showed that the patients with spinal injuries were twice as likely to become disabled with the use of the long spine board.
What patient needs a bariatric stretcher?
Bariatric patients are typically defined as those patients who are either 100-200 pounds overweight, or who have a total body weight over 300 pounds. In some settings, bariatric protocols are not actually activated – and appropriate equipment deployed – until crews encounter a patient weighing at least 350 pounds.
How long are backboards EMS?
Dimensions: 72in x 16in x 1.75in.
What is the use of backboard in basketball?
Basketball backboards are flat elevated vertical boards with mounted baskets, or rims, used to assist or return the basketball after a shot in a game of basketball. Commonly made of Plexiglas or tempered glass, backboards are designed to prevent shattering when a player dunks.
When should a spinal board be removed?
Conclusion—The spinal board should be removed in all patients soon after arrival in accident and emergency departments, ideally after the primary survey and resuscitation phases.
What are 2 types of injuries that would require the use of a spine board?
An individual should be placed on a spine board if he/she suffers an injury and has a combination of any of the following: complaints of pain in the area of the spine; numbness and/or tingling in their fingers, toes, arms, or legs; or loss or decreased ability to move their fingers, toes, arms, or legs.
When should you immobilize your spine?
Patients who should have spinal immobilization include the following: Blunt trauma. Spinal tenderness or pain. Patients with an altered level of consciousness.
How do you secure a patient to a backboard?
Place hands in appropriate position, then roll patient onto backboard as one unit. Position patient in centre of backboard. Secure body to backboard using appropriate strapping devices in correct sequence (chest, hips, feet). Pad any natural hollows, then secure patient’s head to backboard using appropriate equipment.
When transporting a patient who is secured to a backboard It is important to?
When transporting a patient who is secured to a backboard, it is important to: place deceleration straps over the patient’s shoulders. When a helicopter must land on a grade (uneven ground), you should: approach the aircraft from the downhill side.
How do you transport a patient with a spinal injury?
Land (ambulance) and air (helicopter or fixed-wing plane) are the primary modes available to transport the spinal injury patient. The goal is to expedite safe and effective transportation without an unfavorable impact on patient outcome.
What is a backboard in medicine?
A spinal board, also known as a long spine board (LSB), longboard, spineboard,or backboard, is a patient handling device used primarily in pre-hospital trauma care designed to provide rigid support during movement of a patient with suspected spinal or limb injuries.
How many straps does a spine board have?
Four straps, measuring two inches wide by nine feet long with quick release type metal buckles. (“Slide-through” type strongly recommended.)
Which patients do we primarily use backboards on?
Field spinal immobilization using a backboard and cervical collar has been standard practice for patients with suspected spine injury since the 1960s.
…
High energy mechanism of injury and:
- Drug or alcohol intoxication;
- Inability to communicate; and/or.
- Distracting injury.”
What are possible complications for the patient immobilized on a backboard for long periods of time?
“The long backboard can induce pain, patient agitation, and respiratory compromise. Further, the backboard can decrease tissue perfusion at pressure points, leading to the development of pressure ulcers.”
How long a after immobilization can pressure sores develop?
Findings from the three models indicate that pressure ulcers in subdermal tissues under bony prominences very likely occur between the first hour and 4 to 6 hours after sustained loading.