What are C-spine precautions?

What are C-spine precautions?

In addition to “neck” or “C-spine precautions”, all trauma patients are cared for with thoracic and lumbar level protection. This is sometimes collectively called “C-T-L” precautions. Patients with spinal precautions are turned very carefully to prevent flexion or movement of the vertebrae.

What precaution should you take when dealing with a spinal injury?

If you suspect someone has a spinal injury:

1. Get help. Call 911 or emergency medical help.
2. Keep the person still. Place heavy towels or rolled sheets on both sides of the neck or hold the head and neck to prevent movement.
3. Avoid moving the head or neck.
4. Keep helmet on.
5. Don’t roll alone.

What are the three spinal precautions?

STEP 1: Slide to the edge of the bed or chair. STEP 2: Place your feet flat on the floor. STEP 3: Put your hands to your sides with palms on the bed or chair. STEP 4: Keeping your back straight, push up with your hands and legs.

When can you clear c-spine?

The goal is to clear the C-spine within four hours. If there is a significant painful “distracting” injury, then the goal is to clear the C-spine in less than 12 hours. iii. If the CT shows abnormalities, then the orthopedic or neurosurgical spine service should be consulted prior to removing the collar.

What is C-spine immobilization?

The goals of C-spine immobilization are to minimize movement and maintain a “neutral” alignment. Standard C-spine immobilization is performed with a hard collar in conjunction with a backboard, vacuum mattress, or similar device. Typically lateral support devices are also employed .

Why do we protect C-spine?

3. The application of a semi-rigid cervical collar prevents potentially harmful movements of the cervical spine. 4. Immobilisation of the cervical spine is a relatively harmless measure, and can therefore be applied to a large number of patients with a relatively low risk of injury “as a precaution”.

What are the dos and don’ts of responding to back injury?

Do not try to “play through the pain.” It is essential to let your body recover before resuming strenuous activity. Do not sleep on your stomach. This can worsen back pain. Do not perform heavy lifting or repetitive twisting of your back for up to six weeks.

Can you cross legs with spinal precautions?

Do not cross knees or ankles while sitting, standing or lying. 5. Always log roll out of bed. Have a pillow between your knees for comfort and to help maintain precautions if necessary.

What must you confirm before removing AC collar?

The C collar can be removed in the unconscious or obtunded patients once the following criteria have been met:

1. The attending radiologist has dictated a final report of the CT scan of the cervical spine.
2. This final report has no cervical spine fracture or acute abnormality.

What airway maneuver should be used with a cervical spine injury?

In a truly emergent situation, oral intubation with direct laryngoscopy is the usual approach. The trachea should be intubated with minimum flexion or extension of the neck.” “The safety of orotracheal intubation for patients with potential C-spine injury has been documented in recent years.

What are Spinal precautions?

Spinal precautions involve the same care and attention to spinal protection as spinal immobilization, with the only exception being the judicious use of the backboard or similarly rigid devices during transport.

What are the steps to read a C-spine Xray?

Below we will review the ten steps to reading a c-spine xray. One way to remember these steps is AAABBBCs. Steps: Adequacy Alignment AADI (anterior atlantodental interval) BDI (bsion dental interval) Base of dens Bony abnormalities Cartilage disks Cartliage facets Soft tissues Scan the periphery

What are the precautions of using a backboard?

Spinal precautions 1 Judicious use of backboards. Field spinal precautions are intended to prevent spinal cord injury in a patient presenting with an unstable spinal fracture, and to potentially prevent worsening of an 2 Spinal precautions during transport. 3 Side effects of backboards.

What are the most common errors in the radiographic assessment of cervical spine?

Failure to visualize the seventh cervical vertebra and the CT/TI junction is the most common error made in the radiographic assessment of cervical spine injury. Make sure there is no rotation present (rotation will be seen when left and right diamond-shaped lateral masses of each vertebra are not superimposed as below).