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Saving Lives

Skills for Life

Spinal Management Certificate

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Housekeeping

Phones/ Pagers ExitsCourse Timings &

Breaks

Facilities Assembly Point

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Resources

• PowerPoint Handout

• Spinal Management Learner Guide

• Assessment Activity Booklet

• Facilitator Guide

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Learning Outcomes

• Hold a basic understanding of spinal cord anatomy and injuries

• Describe the possible causes of spinal injuries• Detail the signs and symptoms of a patient with

suspected spinal injuries• Detail the principles of immobilisation for spinal injuries• Detail and demonstrate the management of head and

spinal injuries• Demonstrate how to move a casualty with suspected

spinal injuries

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Introduction

This non-accredited course is designed to link existing knowledge with more detailed information so best practice spinal management techniques are achieved in your workplace

The information given:• Focuses on principles of good spinal care in an

emergency situation• Provides a range of management options• Enables the learner to develop individual management

plan specific to each incident• Allows for organisational practices to be included• Draws on trained and untrained rescuers

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Spinal cord injury

• SLSA recorded 158 suspected spinal injuries between August 2006 and July 2007.

• Each year 50 people are injured in diving accidents in Australia.

• Average cost to support a person who has sustained a major spinal injury is over $1,250,000 per person.

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SPINAL CORD INJURY SCI Classifications

• Traumatic – resulting from an external causes

• Non-traumatic – caused by medical conditions

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SCI Treatment Centres

Australia has 6 hospitals that care for SCI patients.

They are located in the following 5 states.

QLD – Princess Alexandra Hospital

NSW – Royal North Shore Hospital & St James Hospital

VIC – Austin Hospital

SA – Royal Adelaide Hospital

WA – Royal Perth Rehabilitation Hospital

Tasmania, NT and the ACT do not have Spinal Units, patients are sent to the nearest interstate Spinal Unit.

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Spine & Nervous System

Spine 42 cm long

33 vertebrae

Allows movement, twisting and bending of the spine

Natural ‘S’ curve

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Spinal column• Vertebrae

– Protects spinal cord– Provides support to the body– Outer section bony mass offers point of

attachment– Inner hollow provides a passageway for spinal

cord to run through• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) acts as cushion

against injury• 31 spinal nerves running from spinal column

communicate with whole body

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Nervous system

Divides into two parts• Central Nervous System (CNS)

– Dorsal cavity– Cranial subcavity– Spinal cavity

• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)– Somatic nervous system– Sympathetic nervous system– Parasympathetic nervous system

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Mechanisms of injury

• MOI is the exchange of forces that results in an injury.

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5 Mechanisms of SCI

• Hyperextension• Hyperflexion• Compression• Distraction• Rotation

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5 Mechanisms of SCI

• Hyperextension– Spine arched backwards

beyond normal limits– Type of injury most

commonly in the upper cervical section of spinal cord

– Common causes are motor vehicle accidents and shallow water diving accidents

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5 Mechanisms of SCI

• Hyperflexion– Spine arched forwards

beyond normal limits– Type of injury most

commonly in the upper cervical section of spinal cord

– Common causes are whiplash or falling down stairs.

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5 Mechanisms of SCI

• Compression– Spinal cord is compressed– Commonly results in injuries

to C5-6 and T12-L1– Common causes diving

injuries and impacting windscreens in motor vehicle accidents

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5 Mechanisms of SCI

• Distraction– Overstretching of the spinal cord– Caused by hanging injuries or playground injuries to children

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5 Mechanisms of SCI

• Rotation– Head and body rotate in

opposite directions– Common causes are motor

vehicle accidents and if ejected from the vehicle

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Common causes of SCI

• motor vehicle accident• industrial accident (workplace)• diving accident• sporting accident• a fall from a height• a significant blow to the head• severe penetrating wounds (i.e. gunshot)

SLSA/ALA v1.0 Apr 2008

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SCI Types of injury

Tetraplegia or (Quadriplegia): – ‘Paralysis of four limbs’– Impairment or loss of motor or sensory function in the cervical

segments of the spinal cord. – At this level, arms and legs are affected

Paraplegia:– Paralysis of both lower extremities– Impairment or loss of motor or sensory function in the thoracic,

lumbar or sacral segments of the spinal cord. – At this level, the SCI patient will still have arm function

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Signs & symptomsSignsBreathing difficulties*Loss of consciousness or fading in &

out*Loss of function in hands, fingers, feet

or toes*Loss of bladder or bowel control*Neck or head in abnormal position*Dilated pupilsFluid leaking from the earsAbnormal blood pressureProfuse bleeding from the head Abrasions or bruising to the head or

foreheadShock

Symptoms

Back or neck pain (intense*)

Tingling or lack of feeling in lower or upper limbs

Increased muscle tone

Headache or dizziness

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Secondary injury

First responders prevent further injury through the application of sound incident management practices; i.e.

• Preventing further movement• Oxygen therapy• Correctly preparing patient for transportation• Accurately record the patient’s vital signs, incident details

and provide first aid• Treat patient for shock

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How to classify SCI?

Complete Injuries:Complete SCI are total loss of motor function (paralysis)

and sensory perception is a result of interruption of the ascending and descending nerve tracts in the spinal cord.

Incomplete Injuries:There is some function below the level of SCI67% of SCI in Australia are incompletePoor management of the patient with incomplete SCI

can cause progressive worsening of spinal cord function

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Special considerations

Padding under • child or infant’s torso • Biker’s torso

will assist in aligning patient’s head to the neutral position

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Primary survey – SCI patient

D – Danger

R – Response

A – Airway management and cervical spine stabilization

B – Breathing (ventilation)

C – Circulation and bleeding

D – Defibrillation

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Check for contraindicationsConscious patient• Patient’s head or part of their

torso is tilted and the patient is unable to move from that position

• Moving the patient’s head or spine can not be performed because of space limitations or other conditions.

• Airway obstruction• Breathing Difficulties

Unconscious patient• Not Breathing• Moving the patient’s head or

spine can not be performed because of space limitations or other conditions.

• Airway obstructions

Where a contraindication becomes evidence STOP the course of action immediately and immobilise the patient as is.

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Remove motorcycle helmet?

Reasons that it may be necessary to take off a casualty’s helmet at the scene of the accident include:

• to obtain a clear airway (conscious or unconscious patient)

• for oxygen therapy to be administered• to apply a cervical collar• to place the patient’s head into a neutral position, as the

helmet has lifted the head into hyperflexion.

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Learning task one

Complete learning task one on page 28.

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Types of spinal immobilisation & retrieval equipment

Step 1• minimise further movement of patient’s head by using -

– manual stabilisation – standing or supine– vice grip.

Step 2• Fit cervical collar

Step 3 • Utilise lifting and carrying devices

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Types of spinal immobilisation & retrieval equipment

• Head block• Immobilisation strapping• Spine board (long spine board or backboard)• Scoop stretcher• Stokes basket• Extrication device & stretchers

SLSA/ALA v1.0 Apr 2008

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Types of spinal immobilisation & retrieval equipment

See Learners Manual pages 29 to 38.

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Learning task two

Complete learning task two on page 35.

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Cervical collar

• Applied by trained and experienced personnel only• Check manufacturer’s fitting instructions• Ideally two people to fit collar

– Rescuer one performing manual stabilisation– Rescuer two fits collar

• Communicating your actions with the conscious patient is critical.

Manual stabilisation must continue after the fitting of the cervical collar.

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Cervical collar - supine patient

The same steps apply as for a standing or seated patient.

Except, fold in Velcro fasteners to protect from contamination by sand or gravel.

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Learning task three

Complete learning task three on page 39.

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Safe transportation of a patient

Australian Resuscitation Council advise that an injured or unconscious patient’s condition can be worsened by movement.

If movement is necessary of a conscious patient, extreme care must be taken to minimise movement of the spine in any direction, and the painful area must be fully supported.

Airway management takes precedence over any suspected spinal injury in an unconscious patient

Guideline 8.18 www.resus.org.au

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Log roll

Cervical collar fitted first

Accepted method to position a patient on their side

Allows for placement of blanket, board or litter against spine

Positions patient’s arms down either side of torso

Supports thoracic/lumbar area against sagging

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Backboard sitting patient

Cervical collar fitted first

Allows for minimal movement to patient’s spinal column

Minimum 3 people to perform this technique

Back board lowered to ground

Patient is slid along board in 30 cm increments to correct position

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Aquatic rescue (pool or still water)

Rescuer to move cautiously towards patient

Minimise water movement around patient

Stabilise patient’s head using either• Vice grip technique• Extended arm roll-over technique (surf retrieval)• Fit cervical collar

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Trapezius gripThe trapezius grip is used to support the patient’s head and

neck, whilst allowing the fitting of a cervical collar.• Grip upper trapezius muscle between thumb and the

fingers, supporting the head between the forearms (held vice-like along side of head)

• To allow for the cervical collar to be fitted, the rescuer grips the trapezius muscle between the extended middle and ring fingers (forming a V-shape).

• The forearms continue to provide firm support to the head

See Learners Manual p.65

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Learning task four

Complete learning task four on page 69 to 71.

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Preparing patient for transport• Immobilisation strapping is fitted before moving the

patient from the water.• Chest strap is secured first, followed by hip or feet (see

manufacturer’s guidelines) and finally the head strap is applied.

• Manual stabilisation continues at all times until handover• Reassure the conscious patient continually• Monitor patient’s body temperature (shock to nervous

system affects ability to self-regulate)• Protect patient from elements; sun to eyes, wind on

body, etc.

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Preparing patient for transport

Key considerations when moving the patient on a spinal board.

• Always move patient in head first direction• Avoid lifting one end of the board higher than the other –

keep horizontal, or head higher on stairs• Do not slide spine board across the ground or surface, it

may catch and jerk or jolt the patient• Ensure hair, jewellery and clothing is clear and can not

catch against surfaces or become caught in the rescuers hands, straps, etc.

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OHS considerations

Observe OHS recommendations when lifting patient from ground level use a minimum of 4 people to lift.

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Learning task five

Complete learning task five on page 56.

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Practical demonstration

Now move to the pool or a still water environment to practice your spinal management techniques.

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Assessment

Assessment is complete when you have:• Demonstrated spinal management and patient removal

techniques in an still-water aquatic environment• Answered the questions and handed-in the Learner

Assessment Activity to your assessor for marking.