The Pros And Cons Of Spinal Imobilization

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Spinal immobilization is commonly used in Emergency Medical Services. This process is used when the patient has suffered a trauma significant enough to lead EMS personnel to believe that there may be a spinal cord injury. This consists of securing the patient to a rigid, long spine board, placing a cervical collar and securing the head. Beginning with the effectiveness of spinal immobilization, and leading into doing no harm and the possibility of agitating a spinal cord injury. Finally, answers to the argument on back boards being uncomfortable are provided. Ultimately, in order to ensure the safety of all trauma patients’ spinal cords, the trauma patients should be immobilized. Back boarding has been implemented in spinal immobilization …show more content…

Another argument is that back boarding can also cause pressure ulcers. However, there are steps that can be taken to aid in combating those negatives. Although back boards may seem uncomfortable, they can be made more comfortable by adding things such as a small mattress, towels or blankets. According to Hauswald, “Increasing the amount of padding on a back board decreased the amount of ischemic pain caused by immobilization.” (Hauswald, Mark, et al.) Continuing with back board padding, a device has been created called the Back Raft. This device is an inflatable cushion that secures quickly and easily to any back board. Furthermore, the Back Raft has three columns supporting the head and neck and seven columns supporting the shoulders and lower back. This reduces pressure on critical pressure points and makes spinal immobilization more efficient. The Back Raft system quickly inflates to provide cushion between the back board and the patient and is compatible with any cot of spine board strapping system. In addition to improving the efficiency of spinal immobilization, this device is also X-Ray translucent. This is a must have device for geriatrics, who have thinner skin that is more prone to pressure ulcers. “In addition, the Back Raft system significantly reduced patient discomfort while lying on a back board.” (Edlick, Richard F, et