SPINAL IMMOBILIZATION SUPINE PATIENT
This station is designed to test your ability to provide spinal immobilization on a patient using a long spine immobilization device. You arrive on the scene with an EMT assistant. The assistant EMT has completed the scene size-up as well as the initial and focused assessments. As you begin the station there are no airway, breathing, or circulatory problems. You are required to treat the specific, isolated problem of an unstable spine using a long spine immobilization device. When moving the patient to the device, you should use the help of the assistant EMT and the evaluator. The assistant EMT should control the head and cervical spine of the patient while you and the evaluator move the patient to the immobilization device. You are responsible for the direction and subsequent action of the EMT assistant. You may use any equipment available in this room. You have (10) ten minutes to complete this procedure. Do you have any questions?
Takes or verbalizes body substance isolation precautions
Directs assistant to place/maintain head in neutral in-line position
Directs assistant to maintain manual immobilization of the head
Assesses motor, sensory, and distal circulation in extremities
Applies appropriate size extrication collar
Positions the immobilization device appropriately
Directs movement of the patient onto device without compromising the
integrity of the spine
Applies padding to voids between the torso and the boards as necessary
Immobilizes the patient's torso to the device
Evaluates the pads behind the patient's head as necessary
Immobilizes the patient's head to the device
Secures the patient's legs to the device
Secures the patient's arms to the device
Reassesses motor, sensory, and distal circulation in extremities
CRITICAL CRITERIA
Did not immediately direct or take manual immobilization of the head
Releases or orders release of manual immobilization before it was maintained
mechanically
Patient manipulated or moved excessively, causing potential spinal compromise
Patient moves excessively up, down, left, or right on the device.
Head immobilization allows for excessive movement
Upon completion of immobilization, head is not in the neutral in-line position
Did not reassess motor, sensory, and distal circulation after immobilization
to the device
Immobilized head to the board before securing torso