RE: More good evidence for SSM/

[Guest guest]

,

This is what I would have figured. Backboarding/splinting is a Basic skill.

Thanks for the articles.

Mike

More good evidence for SSM/

Are emergency medical technician-basics able to use a selective

immobilization of the cervical spine protocol?

A preliminary report

M. Dunn, PhD*

<http://www2.peconline.org/scripts/om.dll/serve?action=searchDB

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search & db=PubMed & term=Dun

> & db=PubMed & term=Dun

n+TM%20%5bAuthor%20Name%5d>

Alice Dalton, MSN, RN, NREMT-P [MEDLINE LOOKUP]

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search & db=PubMed & term=Dal

> & db=PubMed & term=Dal

ton+A%20%5bAuthor%20Name%5d>

Todd Dorfman, MD [MEDLINE LOOKUP]

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search & db=PubMed & term=Dor

> & db=PubMed & term=Dor

fman+T%20%5bAuthor%20Name%5d>

W. Dunn, BA, NREMT-P [MEDLINE LOOKUP]

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search & db=PubMed & term=Dun

> & db=PubMed & term=Dun

n+WW%20%5bAuthor%20Name%5d>

Objective To be a first step in determining whether emergency medicine

technician (EMT)-Basics are capable of using a protocol that allows for

selective immobilization of the cervical spine. Such protocols are coming

into use at an advanced life support level and could be beneficial when used

by basic life support providers.

Method A convenience sample of participants (n=95) from 11 emergency medical

services agencies and one college class participated in the study. All

participants evaluated six patients in written scenarios and decided which

should be placed into spinal precautions according to a selective spinal

immobilization protocol. Systems without an existing selective spinal

immobilization protocol received a one-hour continuing education lecture

regarding the topic. College students received a similar lecture written so

laypersons could understand the protocol.

Results All participants showed proficiency when applying a selective

immobilization protocol to patients in paper-based scenarios. Furthermore,

EMT-Basics performed at the same level as paramedics when following the

protocol. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between

EMT-Basics and paramedics. A follow-up group of college students (added to

have a non-EMS comparison group) also performed as well as paramedics when

making decisions to use spinal precautions. Differences between college

students and paramedics were also statistically insignificant.

Conclusions The results suggest that EMT-Basics are as accurate as

paramedics when making decisions regarding selective immobilization of the

cervical spine during paper-based scenarios. That laypersons are also

proficient when using the protocol could indicate that it is extremely

simple to follow. This study is a first step toward the necessary additional

studies evaluating the efficacy of EMT-Basics using selective immobilization

as a regular practice.

Bledsoe, DO, FACEP

Midlothian, TX

" Faith is believing what you know ain't so. "

Mark Twain

Following the Equator

Don't miss EMStock 2004!http://www.emstock.com <http://www.emstock.com/>

[Guest guest]

At 12:07 PM 4/15/2004, you wrote:

>Are emergency medical technician-basics able to use a selective

>immobilization of the cervical spine protocol?

>A preliminary report

pdf of the study posted in the files section at EMS_Research

Jim<

[Guest guest]

At 12:07 PM 4/15/2004, you wrote:

>Are emergency medical technician-basics able to use a selective

>immobilization of the cervical spine protocol?

>A preliminary report

pdf of the study posted in the files section at EMS_Research

Jim<

[Guest guest]

At 12:07 PM 4/15/2004, you wrote:

>Are emergency medical technician-basics able to use a selective

>immobilization of the cervical spine protocol?

>A preliminary report

pdf of the study posted in the files section at EMS_Research

Jim<