Facilitators and barriers to application of the Canadian C-spine rule by emergency department triage nurses

Canadian emergency departments annually treat 1.3 million patients who have suffered blunt trauma (e.g. from falls or motor vehicle collisions) and who are at risk for injury of the c-spine (Pitts et  al., 2008). Most are adults who are alert and in stable condition; less than 1% have a c-spine fracture (Stiell et al., 1997). The majority of these patients are transported by ambulance on a backboard, with cervical collar and neck supports. Typically, nurses complete the triage assessment and s end these patients to high-acuity resuscitation rooms, where they remain completely immobilized until physician assessment and radiography are complete.

Source: International Emergency Nursing - December 17, 2015 Category: Nursing Authors: Catherine M. Clement, Ian G. Stiell, Maureen A. Lowe, Jamie C. Brehaut, Lisa A. Calder, Christian Vaillancourt, Jeffrey J. Perry Source Type: research