Air Splints

jon11848

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Laerdal and a company called Care2Medical have just come out with a device called the "PneuSplint." It's an inflatable splint that you inflate and then place on the pt.

http://www.care2medical.com/
http://www.laerdal.info/doc/6875218/PneuSplint.html
http://www2.mooremedical.com/index.cfm?PG=CTL&CS=HOM&FN=ProductDetail&PID=7976

Has anyone had any experience with inflatable splints? I've heard rumors that they inflate way too much when brought indoors or into a rig (where it is warm) because the warmth increases air pressure (just like a balloon).

Splints are just so expensive. This seems to provide a cost-effective solution.

Successes? Failures? Thoughts?

Any other advice on a cost-effective splint to replace a SAM? That is, other than the pillow?
 
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John E

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Cardboard...

comes to mind. Cost about a buck apiece thru a local medical/emergency supply house. Toss em in the trash after they cut off at the ER.

Think about how long that limb is gonna be splinted, if it's done onscene it's gonna last til the pt. gets to the ER.

John E
 

medicdan

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The splints look interesting, but you need to buy the entire system. You need to find the dang pump, and the ports. I worry how much each plastic sleeve costs, and that it just isnt economical.
I, too, like cardboard frac-packs, pillow splints and blanket splints. They are cheap, easy to get my hands on, easy to use/dispose of at the ER, and never expire, leak, have expensive parts, etc.
K-I-S-S
 
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jon11848

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potential problems with cardboard

True, I should've added cardboard into the list along with pillows, towels, blankets, and sheets.

First of all, note that there is only one port here, which is really not hard to find. I don't think finding the pump would be a problem (it never is with vaccum splints). You don't need the kit. All you need is the splint and the pump. They just suck you in by requiring you to buy the kit (2 splints of each size) in order to get the pump.

This air splint seems to be really easy to put on. I could probably do it in under 20 seconds. Making it bend seems much easier than cutting and taping a box splint. The velcro tabs are easier than tape.

Time and ease are the two things that this air splint seems to have over a box splint. With a box splint you still have to cut, pad, apply, and tape the splint. I would say the few extra bucks are worth it when it comes to saving some time and effort.

Nobody out there has ever used something like this?
 

John E

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I would politely toss this into the mix...

you're concerned about how much time and effort it takes to apply a cardboard splint? Do you have somewhere else to be?

I'll go out on a limb here and state that the reason you're not concerned about how much stuff like air splints cost is because you're not paying for them.

Other than a specialised tool like a traction splint, why does a BLS provider need anything more than the simplest, cheapest splint available to them?

And frankly, given the number of times a BLS provider uses a traction splint, one could easily make the case that they're not needed at the BLS level of treatment.

Are you by any chance selling air splints in your spare time? Just kidding...but seriously are you?

P.S. Just went to Moore Medical's website, over 10 bucks for a single large splint vs a buck for cardboard. That's a sizeable difference.
 
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jon11848

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I don't think the traction splint has anything to do with this. However, I get your point: that is the only splinting device that a BLS outfit needs to actually spend money on, even though it never is used.

Actually, I am paying for them. I know, that is surprising. However, we currently carry SAM splints, which I think is even more of a waste. If you're looking at Moore, the SAM is $13.59.

I'm trying to cut money while not appearing as if I'm skimping. Maybe I should be replacing the SAMs with cardboard and that isn't actually skimping. Do you think I should?

I disagree with you when you say, "why does a BLS provider need anything more than the simplest, cheapest splint available to them?" If spending some more money is going to allow you to provide a higher quality of pt. care, then it is worth it (that should apply to everything, not just splints). It is arguable that this splint does provide a higher quality of pt. care (@John E you will probably think that it does not, while I would say that it has potential to)

This is definitely easier on the pt. and the provider. You don't need to fuss with padding voids and taping. I think it also provides a more professional look than the cardboard, which should be important to every agency.

Do I have anywhere to go? No, but the pt. does (the hospital). I think spending too much time on scene splinting injuries is poor pt. care. I think that a new EMT would be able to put this air splint on quickly, and would be figeting around with properly cutting a cardboard splint, padding, and taping. I've definitely seen plenty of probies make a mess of a box splint (and other splints for that matter). I'm not saying it's the best solution, but you have to admit that it has at least a few advantages?

No, I'm not trying to sell the air splints. I'm genuinely interested in what people think about this.

Hey, some squads spend hundreds of dollars on vacuum splints. Cardboard is probably cheaper than that too.
 

John E

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Ok then...

I'm glad you're not just doing market research for Laerdal.

Here's the problem, you're making claims about the air splint that are unfounded. I know that you're asking for opinions but you've apparently already decided that they're easier to use, look more "professional", and may provide better pt. care. How do you know all this?

Frankly, in the case of cardboard vs SAM splints I would probably come down in favor of cardboard, especially if cost is a major concern. I have to buy all of my own equipment including expendables so cost definitely comes into it for me but I recognise that I work in a pretty specialised area and thus, a lot of the normal rules don't apply. I carry cardboard splints in my main kit and some SAM splints in another kit for use when when the first kit is too large or too bulky to bring. The only reason I have the SAM's is their compact storage needs.

If spending 10 bucks for a leg splint will save you money vs paying over 13 for a SAM, then I guess you're saving yourself some cash. I'm just very wary of new and improved stuff that is designed to be used and then thrown away, usually within minutes of it being used in the first place. If you're doing long distance transports I could see where something like the air splint MIGHT be an improvement. Whether it's worth 10 times the cost of an alternative is up to you and your budget I suppose. I think you should look long and hard at your usages and at your transport times and see if you think it's warranted. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
 
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jon11848

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"Here's the problem, you're making claims about the air splint that are unfounded. I know that you're asking for opinions but you've apparently already decided that they're easier to use, look more "professional", and may provide better pt. care. How do you know all this? "

I never meant to say that it definitely does all of this. The experience that I have is from the sample. I called them up and asked for one. I have yet to actually use it on a pt.

I'd still really like to hear from anyone with more than a week of experience with a sample.
 

mycrofft

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Done some splinting including old air splints.

Often straightening the limb causes more pain because the bone ends are riding past one another, etc etc., but it still hurts less than not splinting at all when the pt is moved.
For extrication or transport you may be forced to straighten, but in many cases in civilization a splint adapting to the position found, if circulation and sense are not compromised, is the best thing to do. SAM and the generics for it are one way to go, old time ladder splints (or the homemade equivalent made of hardware cloth edged with duct tape), pillow and blankets are all options there. Finally, if it can be straightened and you don't HAVE a splint, splint legs to opposing legs, arms to torso, ankles and feet immobilized with multiple layers of bandage (I like Medirip, that's a plug).

Old air splint: get stiff with age and heat and cold, tough to inflate, only straighten limbs, tend to cover points to check distal signs, and expensive. Have not seen or usd new splints, but I imagine they have similar limitations.
(Pressure changes due to temperature and altitude changes are readily fixed by venting or inflating, but again, hard to check distal signs, have to guess).

Hey, they float. Cardboard gets mushy.;) I carry a SAM, Medirip, and a handful of triangle bandages.

Just looked at them through your Laerdahl link. Intriguing, but the thicker the splint the more torsion applied to the limb at the edge and at the adjacent joint. I'/d like a few of those puppies to play with, look like you can change their angle some.
 
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Akulahawk

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Mycrofft hit on ONE problem with these splints. In the process of applying the splint, you have to straighten the limb. There are problems with this. You can cause the patient a LOT of pain while doing this. You can cause further injury to nerves and blood vessels during the straightening process. (You ONLY want to straighten an angulated limb if there's no distal pulse, and even then you have 4-6 hours from the time of injury.) Oh, and during the deflation phase, the once immobilized limb can move uncontrollably... causing more pain.

Can you tell that I don't like air splints? Vacuum splints don't "suffer" from the same issues, especially during removal. They can be applied and will conform to the shape the limb is in. There can be some pain from handling the limb during application of the splint, but that pain would occur during application of any splint though.

Other splints can be made that will work at least as well and may be cheaper.
 

redcrossemt

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Laerdal and a company called Care2Medical have just come out with a device called the "PneuSplint." It's an inflatable splint that you inflate and then place on the pt.

http://www.care2medical.com/
http://www.laerdal.info/doc/6875218/PneuSplint.html
http://www2.mooremedical.com/index.cfm?PG=CTL&CS=HOM&FN=ProductDetail&PID=7976

Has anyone had any experience with inflatable splints? I've heard rumors that they inflate way too much when brought indoors or into a rig (where it is warm) because the warmth increases air pressure (just like a balloon).

Splints are just so expensive. This seems to provide a cost-effective solution.

Successes? Failures? Thoughts?

Any other advice on a cost-effective splint to replace a SAM? That is, other than the pillow?

I got a sample of these splints mailed to me. Wasn't impressed. They are uncomfortable/itchy/pokey and don't seem to ever fit right. Only a couple options for angles and stuff.

At my one service, we use SAMs extensively because they are compact and can be used for just about anything. At my other service, we have cardboard which is cheap and works fine, but is more limited in use.
 
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