Ch. 12 & 19 - Head & Spinal Injuries, & Reaching, Lifting, & Extricating Patients

Injuries to the head and spine can cause damage to the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), and this can result in paralysis, impaired mental function (e.g., behavioural disorders, speech or memory issues), or death. Fortunately, prompt care can help minimize the damage from most head and spinal injuries. For this reason, it is important to learn to recognize situations that should make you suspect a serious head and/or spinal injury.

Injuries to the head and spine can damage both bone and soft tissue, including brain tissue and the spinal cord. It is difficult to determine the extent of damage in head and spinal injuries. Signs and symptoms of a serious head and/or spine injury may be slow to develop, especially in the case of trauma to the brain. In most cases, the only way to assess the full extent of the damage is by having an X-ray or scan conducted. Since you cannot know exactly how severe an injury is in the field, always provide initial care as if the injury is serious. Remember to treat head and/or spinal injuries before minor injuries such as lacerations.

Head and spinal injuries can cause challenges when you are prioritizing care. A patient with a suspected spinal injury should have his or her spine protected from further injury, but if protecting the spine interferes with life-saving interventions, protecting the patient’s life must be the highest priority. Similarly, if you have the choice between saving a patient’s limb and protecting the patient’s spine, the spine should be your priority.

Transcript

1. Reaching, Lifting, and Extricating Patients Ch 19 – Pg 337
2. Moving Patients Walking Assist Two-Person Seat Carry Ch 19 – Pg 342
3. Moving Patients Clothes Drag Blanket Drag Ch 19 – Pg 342-343
4. Moving Patients Extremity Lift Ch 19 – Pg 343-344
5. Head and Spinal Injuries Ch 12 – Pg 227
6. Canadian C-Spine Rule Ch 12 – Pg 234
7. In-Line Stabilization To bring a patient’s head into neutral alignment. 1. Rotation (chin is in line with chest) 2. Flexion (tilt the head into neutral) If you encounter any resistance, or patient complains of pain, stop. Ch 12 – Pg 235-236
8. Manual SMR Head Grip Trapezius Squeeze Ch 12 – Pg 236-237
9. Manual SMR Sternal Forehead Grip Hard Cervical Collar Ch 12 – Pg 238-239
10. Spinal Immobilization - Boarding • Prepare equipment • Roll patient onto board (check ABC’s) • Apply padding as necessary (check ABC’s) • Secure patient to board • Chest • Pelvis • Legs • Head last (check ABC’s) Ch 12 – Pg 240-241