In article <[log in to unmask]>, Timothy J Coats (SURG)
7728 <[log in to unmask]> writes
>This study gives additional evidence which points the same way as
>previous studies. The sample size is impressive and the methods
>look good. I think that there is a secure evidence base to use
>similar criteria in clinical practice.
>
>Further work needs to be done to define more accurately 'painful
>distracting injury' and the effect of analgesia (especially now that
>this is being given at triage).
>
The abstract makes good reading - I will take a look at the paper
This issue is of huge importance to the rescue community because of the
implications of having to immobilise someone for protracted periods
during difficult evacuations/extrications that are, in addition, often
made more difficult by the 'need' for immobilisation
Immobilisation (usually supine) during long carries is at best
uncomfortable and at worst, dangerous so if we can 'clear' spines in the
field then there are potentially huge benefits
The WEMSI course has taught cervical spine clearance along the same
lines for some years now because of the different circumstances of the
environment cf street EMS - and there is a standing offer of not a few
thousand pounds for the person who can find a patient who has suffered
neurological sequelae having fitted the criteria for c-spine clearance
and not had c-spine immobilisation - does anyone know of such a patient?
(warning - I will want to charge a finders fee ;-)
Cheers
--
Jel Coward
The UK Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician and Command Physician course
site has been updated - take a look for course dates in 2000!!
http://www.wildmedic.org
http://www.wemsi.org
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'There's no such thing as bad weather - just bad clothing"
Anon Norwegian
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