Change from semi-rigid to soft collars for prehospital management of trauma patients: An observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Protection of the cervical spine is recommended following multisystem injury. In 2021, Ambulance Victoria changed clinical practice guidelines to apply soft collars instead of semi-rigid collars for suspected cervical spine injury. The aim of this study was to describe associated changes in imaging practices and diagnoses of pressure sores, hospital acquired pneumonia, and spinal cord injury.

Methods

A retrospective pre- and postintervention study was conducted including all consecutive patients that presented to an adult major trauma center in Melbourne, Australia with a cervical collar placed by emergency medical services over two 3-month periods.

Results

There were 1762 patients included. A computed tomography (CT) of the cervical spine was performed in

SUBMITTER: Mitra B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11255016 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature