SPM 100 Clinical Skills Lab 4 CSpine Immobilization

SPM 100 Clinical Skills Lab 4 C-Spine Immobilization, Hemorrhage Control and Simple Splinting Extremities Daryl P. Lofaso, M. Ed, RRT

Blunt Trauma Acceleration – Deceleration n MVC n Falls n Altercations

Penetrating Trauma n GSW n Stabs

Most Common Cervical Injuries n Adult: C 5 – C 6 n Child: C 2 - C 3

Brain Injuries: n Direct Injuries: MVC (Windshield) ¡ Blunt Head Trauma (Stick, Bat) ¡ n Indirect Injuries: Airway (Obstruction) ¡ Decrease in perfusion ¡ (Hypotension)

Spinal Cord Injuries n n n Paraplegia – paralysis of both legs Quadriplegia – paralysis of both arms & legs Hemiplegia – paralysis of arm and leg on the same side

Spinal Cord Injury Statistics 11, 000 Americans suffer a traumatic spinal cord injury n 56% are between the ages of 16 and 30 (average age: 31) n 82% male and 18% female n

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries MVC – 42. 9% (Most common) n Falls – 20. 9% n Violence-related – 17. 8% n Sports-related – 10. 4% n Other – 7. 9% n

Hemorrhage Control n Direct Pressure n Elevation n Pressure Point n Tourniquet (rarely used)

Class of Hemorrhage

Types of Splints n Rigid Board n Padded Board n Air-Inflated n Traction

Assessment Post Splint Placement n n Pain Numbness or tingling in hand or foot Fingers or toes are cool to touch, change in color Loss of movement in fingers or toes

Types of Fractures: Closed fracture n Open Fracture n Comminuted Fracture n Avulsion Fracture n Greenstick Fracture n Torus Fracture n

Professional Conduct n n Introduce yourself Explain the procedure / examination to the patient Ask the patient if they have any questions Cover the patient with a sheet. Only expose area examining while performing a procedure/examination