One, why would you be able to do the board before the collar?
And two, the properly sized collar helps the neck move even less while doing the roll.
Here is what I was thinking. If you do the log roll
without a collar on, you would be able to actually
look at the neck. Before you rolled the patient back, you would put the backboard underneath so that you wouldn't have to do any unnecessary rolling. After they were rolled back to a supine position, they would be laying
on the spine board, but they would not be secured or have a collar on. When they were just laying on the backboard, I was thinking that you could put on a cervical collar, and
then secure them to the backboard.
When I say put them on the backboard, I do NOT mean strap them down. Just lay them there.
I'm sure it goes by other names as well. For us, a sticky test is a VERY rapid assessment looking for leaking bodily fluids (blood, etc).
why would one want to place a patient on a backboard, before application of a collar?
I should have been more clear in the original post, but they would just be laying on the backboard. They would not be secured.
Hey look! An actual answer to the question!
Is there harm? No. Is it acceptable in reality? Yes. Is putting a collar on first better? Yes. Does this mean it's acceptable to your proctor? Probably; as long as manual stabilization is held then you shouldn't have a problem; ask them if all you are worried about is testing.
There will be situations you come across where you will not initially be able to apply a c-collar right away; often times in that type of situation it's more appropriate to place the person straight onto a backboard.
That what you wanted?
Yep, that's what I wanted.
However, I am not JUST worried about testing. I would also like to know so I can do what's best for the patient.
Is the patient down or ambulatory when you AOS?
If the the Pt id down when you arrive, you immediately assess LOC, Whether they have a pulse and respirations. Then move to your RTA start at the head looking for DCAP-BLS-TIC.
Move to the neck, check for DCAP-BLS-TIC, JVD, and make sure the trachea is midline, also reach back and check for step down or spinal deformity on the back of the neck. Next step put your collar on and continue with the rest of your assessment checking the posterior last as your roll to transfer to a long board. Also some should if at all possible be holding C-Spine until the Pt's head is secured to the board.
DCAP-BLS-TIC= Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Penetrations, Burns, Lacerations, Swelling, Tenderness, Instability, Crepitus. Just a handy pneumonic I was taught in case anyone was wondering what it was.
For this case, I am thinking that they are laying down. I know you could just reach back and feel the neck, but I was thinking that it would be better to actually SEE the neck.
As far as DCAP-BLS-TIC, I've never heard that. I was taught DCAP-BTLS: deformities, contusions, abrasion, pokes/punctures, burns, tenderness, lacerations, swelling.
Thanks for the help everybody. Any other feedback is appreciated.