Social and Professional Network
Spinal immobilization and the elderly - do we have any better answers yet?
I am curious if anyone has come up with any new better answers on how to or how not to immobilize elderly patients. We all know it is not comfortable for anyone much less the elderly but the selective spinal immobilization protocols I have seen exclude the elderly d/t increased incidence of injuries and difficulties assessing them. The program I work with only allows SSI in patients between age 10 & 65.
We also know that padding is critically important if you have to immobilize and vacuum LBBs are a great option.
My question is if there are any other new options. Is there any new research to support SSI in older populations? Are there any other new products? Any new guidelines?
Views: 69
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Fossil Paramedic on -
Something that we have been trying with good results is to use the mattress of the (insert your favorite brand here) cot to pad the LSB. Many of our elderly patients have kyphosis and this seems to make them more comfortable while still be able to maintain neutral alignment. We then pad the cot frame with several blankets to take the place of the mattress. Is it a perfect answer? No. Does it work for each and every elderly patient? No. It does work well on some of your patients. Extra padding in the form of towels, blankets and pillows is also helpful. We try to adapt the immobilization process to the patient rather than vice versa. Let me know what you think.
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Permalink Reply by Skip Kirkwood on -
I heard a presentation by Jon Politis, MPA, EMT-P, a well-known EMS chief and educator, a couple of months ago. In his service, they pad the LSBs with bubble wrap (the largest available bubbles) at the cost of about $1.00 per application.
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Permalink Reply by Paula Miller on -
the vaccuum boards work really well, but they take up a lot of storage space.
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Permalink Reply by Sean Eddy on -
I have personally found that the Scoop Stretcher works great. Its shape allows for a more neutral position with kyphosis. Plus it's unbeatable when it comes to hip fractures.
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Permalink Reply by eric george abeya soaygan on -
good day sir! i'm eric emt-B from Baguio City Philippines. i heard a gadget which will have an absolute comfortable spinal immobilization device. it is called "vac mat". have you heard of it sir? i tried into it.
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