Are you allowed to release c-spine, and when?

We are moving that way. Evidence shows that over aggressive immobilization can be harmful to the patient. Our agency just switched over to the x collar. It is a cervical splinting system that provides a more complete cervical immobilization.

In the past, if we had a neck pain patient, we were required to board them. Now we can just use the x collar without the board.

Of course, if you have a fully alert patient, who wants to refuse any treatment, they are within their rights to refuse. As long as you document that you warned of the consequences and they sign off, you're good.
 
How about patients with minor head traume......ie scrapes and bruises after a insignificant moi. Are people comfortable not boarding these patients assuming they meet all the criteria?
 
chri1017 said:
How about patients with minor head traume......ie scrapes and bruises after a insignificant moi. Are people comfortable not boarding these patients assuming they meet all the criteria?
Click to expand...

head injury or trauma does not = spinal injury.
MOI alone is no reason to board someone(though some protocols disagree).
 
chri1017 said:
How about patients with minor head traume......ie scrapes and bruises after a insignificant moi. Are people comfortable not boarding these patients assuming they meet all the criteria?
Click to expand...

I'll play Rogue Medic for this one.

Are you comfortable not placing traction splints on patients with leg pain?

Are you comfortable not placing a patient on high flow O2 even though you do not have ABG's?

Are you comfortable not needle decompressing a patient's chest even though you have diminished lung sounds?

I'm uncomfortable using a procedure that has zero indications on a patient merely because it used an anatomical word that is roughly in the same region as another anatomical word related to the procedure.
 
Christopher said:
I'll play Rogue Medic for this one.

Are you comfortable not placing traction splints on patients with leg pain?

Are you comfortable not placing a patient on high flow O2 even though you do not have ABG's?

Are you comfortable not needle decompressing a patient's chest even though you have diminished lung sounds?

I'm uncomfortable using a procedure that has zero indications on a patient merely because it used an anatomical word that is roughly in the same region as another anatomical word related to the procedure.
Click to expand...

Ohhhh, I like this so much.
 
We now use CCR as a guide over nexus. BUT we are allowed to deviate using our clinival judgement. We do not even have backboards here. I avoid using c-collars on patients that don't need it.
 
At this point, with the publication of NAEMSP/ACSCOT joint position paper, NOT changing your protocols to reflect their stance is negligent
 
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