Cervical collars in the pre-hospital setting friend or foe: A study of current pre-hospital spinal immobilisation practices

Annual Congress and Medicare Expo on Trauma & Critical Care

March 07-09, 2016 Madrid, Spain

Anthony Brooks

University of Portsmouth, UK

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Trauma Treat

Abstract :

For 3 decades, we have routinely immobilised â�?�?potentialâ�? spinal injured patients without really knowing if what we are doing is even necessary. Limited studies have even demonstrated that potential harm can be caused by using rigid cervical collars as part of the immobilisation process. How can we find out what (if it exists), is best practice for pre-hospital immobilisation. Is self extrication and immobilisation a possible alternative in the conscious patient? It is necessary to find an answer to inform practice as historical treatment is clearly unsupported with either detailed research or an evidence base.