Tinker, Claire, Boswell, Graham and Foster, John ORCID: 0000-0002-7662-8203 (2023) How paramedics apply the spinal immobilisation algorithm in trauma patients. Journal of Paramedic Practice, 15 (5). pp. 196-203. ISSN 1759-1376 (Print), 2041-9457 (Online) (doi:https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2023.15.5.196)

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Abstract

Background: Selective criteria have been validated both in hospital and pre-hospital environments to safely reduce the number of traumatically injured patients requiring full spinal immobilisation and imaging. The criteria improve the sensitivity in selecting patients with spinal injuries but there is a sparsity of evidence on their application by UK ambulance clinicians.
Aims: To identify the knowledge levels and utilisation of the spinal immobilisation algorthim by ambulance clinicians.
Methods: Quantitative survey that utilised a convenience sample of all front-line clinicians in London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Findings: The algorithm is not routinely used when assessing traumatically injured patients at risk of spinal injury; there is poor recognition of the algorithm inclusion criteria, specifically patients under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and a belief that too many patients are immobilised unnecessarily.
Conclusion: Further research required on how ambulance clinicians use checklists and a review of paramedic education on spinal immobilisation rules is required.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	spinal; immobilisation; algorithm; alcohol; drugs; acknowledgements
Subjects:	Q Science > QA Mathematics R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RT Nursing
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Professional Workforce Development Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Health Sciences (HEA)
Last Modified:	09 Nov 2023 01:38
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/41774

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