Vac Mats are used almost exclusively in my area of work. Local A/E gets
literally dozens of suspected spinal injury presented to them all of which
get X Rayed. No reported problems with X Raying through our Mats. Maybe it
depends on the type of cover on the mat or attachments ? We use some Ferno
but mainly Hartwell mats
Davy Gunn
-----Original Message-----
From: Gautam <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sunday, December 05, 1999 2:13 PM
Subject: Re: spinal board
>In message <005c01bf3f42$482d8f40$643d989e@19090>, Dr Matthew Cooke
><[log in to unmask]> writes
>
>>I have to disagree with the concept of the board being used for
"transport".
>>It is an extrication device. patients are often left on a board to
transport
>>because of lack of people to do log roll in pre-hosp environment.
>>A plea- do not put people back on a board to transfer them - use a vacuum
>>mattress.
>Like vacuum mattresses a lot, but not XRay friendly. The local crews
>have access to them, so guess they would be preferable to horrible board
>for cross-country transfer.
>
>Agree whole-heartedly with your comments on log-rolling: very worrying
>time, especially if inadequate numbers or experience (shouldn't be log-
>rolling in this case).
>
>Had a near-miss once when SHO and nurses were preparing to log-roll
>patient: had un-done body/leg straps, but NOT un-done head straps yet
>(can I hear you collectively tut-tutting?). Patient vomits while supine.
>Immediate understandable reaction of those present was to turn patient
>on side and call for help which was the first the rest of us knew about
>it. But with body free and head pinnioned: massive torsion on C-spine.
>Luckily patient was one of the 999 out of a 1000 (not evidence-based)
>who DIDN't have an unstable spine, but we didn't know that at the time.
>
>Dr G Ray
>Staff Grade
>A&E
>Sussex
>Reply to [log in to unmask]
>
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