¿Necesitas una certificación?
Queremos que se sienta seguro de que está recibiendo la mejor capacitación. Por lo tanto, Sports First Aid Level 3 (VTQ) está totalmente disponible para que lo veas. Si necesita un certificado de trabajo, regístrese para obtener una cuenta hoy para guardar su progreso.
When dealing with a patient who may have a spinal injury, it's vital to follow some basic rules. The spine contains a spinal cord, which is where the messages are sent from the brain to any part of the body. If damaged, the spinal cord cannot be repaired. The area where the spinal cord is damaged will affect the level of paralysis that occurs. Damaging the spinal cord in the lower lumbar region of the back can result in a loss of the use of the legs. Damage higher up can result in a loss of control to the vital life support organs such as respiration. The simple rule for spinal injury management is, if you are dealing with someone who has hurt their back, do not move them. And if you think someone may have hurt their back or there is a possibility they have hurt their back, again, do not move them. When dealing with a patient with a suspected spinal injury, as a first-aider, your responsibilities are to support the person's head and neck, explain to them not to move and look straight ahead. Leave their body in exactly the same position as you found it. In many cases, there will not be a spinal injury, but we always treat as if they have damaged their back. The only exceptions to the rule about not moving somebody with a suspected spinal injury would be if the patient is in immediate danger, for example, a burning car, if the patient is not breathing and you will need to perform CPR, which would mean turning them onto their back, you need to carefully move the head into the neutral position to stabilise their head and finally, the patient's vomiting may choke if the vomit cannot be drained away. If you do have to move a patient with a suspected spinal injury to perform CPR, for example, you would use the log roll, this moves the patient in one single motion. If they are vomiting, they will choke if they remain on their back, so this would be a situation where they would need to move. Again, you would use the log roll to move them onto their side so the vomit can come out. To help you remember what to do, the mnemonic spinal can help, S, safety; make sure the patient and you are safe, P, patient; tell the patient not to move, I, immobilise; protect and maintain the airway and hold their head still, N, neutral; keep the head in a neutral position, A, assess; assess for other injuries, but only if it is safe to do so and finally L is leave them alone or use the log roll only if you absolutely have to. As a first-aider, remember, do not move someone if you suspect they may have a spinal injury unless it is absolutely necessary. Leave the patient in the position found, support their head and neck, make sure the emergency services are on their way, reassure the patient and keep them as calm as possible.
Managing Suspected Spinal Injuries: A First-Aider's Guide
The Critical Importance of Spinal Injury Care
The spine houses the irreplaceable spinal cord responsible for transmitting messages from the brain to the body. Any damage to the spinal cord is irreversible and can lead to varying degrees of paralysis, depending on the injury's location:
- Lower Lumbar Damage: Can result in loss of leg function.
- Higher Damage: Can affect control of vital organs, like respiration.
Golden Rule for Spinal Injury Management
When dealing with a person potentially having a spinal injury, remember: DO NOT MOVE THEM.
First-Aider Responsibilities
When faced with a patient suspected of a spinal injury, as a first-aider, follow these crucial steps:
- Support and Stabilize: Ensure the patient's head and neck are supported, instruct them not to move, and keep looking straight ahead.
- Maintain Position: Keep the patient's body in the same position as found, treating every case as a potential spinal injury.
Exceptions to the Rule
There are a few scenarios where you might need to move the patient:
- Immediate Danger: If the patient is in an immediate life-threatening situation, such as a burning car, their safety takes precedence.
- Not Breathing (CPR Required): In cases requiring CPR, carefully move the patient onto their back while stabilizing the head.
- Risk of Choking (Vomiting): If the patient is vomiting and at risk of choking, use the log roll technique to move them onto their side for safe vomit drainage.
Remember the "SPINAL" Mnemonic
Recall these steps using the "SPINAL" mnemonic:
- Safety (S): Ensure safety for both you and the patient.
- Patient (P): Advise the patient not to move.
- Immobilise (I): Protect the patient's airway and maintain head stability.
- Neutral (N): Keep the head in a neutral position.
- Assess (A): Evaluate for other injuries, but only if it's safe to do so.
- Leave Alone (L): Avoid moving the patient unless absolutely necessary.
Final Thoughts
Always remember, as a first-aider, refrain from moving someone suspected of a spinal injury unless it's an absolute necessity. Maintain their position, provide head and neck support, ensure emergency services are on the way, offer reassurance, and keep the patient calm.