Equipment 8-756 - Splint Backboard

CMH EMS & MIH Protocols

Scope of Practice:

Emergency Medical Responder

Emergency Medical Technician

Advanced Emergency Medical Technician

Registered Nurse

Paramedic

Indications:

Contraindications:

Precautions:

Appropriate amount of padding is needed to provide correct stabilization.

Unless it is necessary to change a patient’s position to maintain an open airway or there is some other compelling reason, it is best to splint the neck and back in the original position of the deformity.

Procedure:

Assess distal pulse, motor, and sensation.

Maintain manual stabilization, measure, size, and secure cervical collar.

Seated patient: Consider KED.

If no posterior injuries suspected: Eight-person lift a few inches and slide board underneath or use scoop stretcher.

OR Log-roll patient onto his/her side. Assess posterior and position backboard.

Secure thorax and legs to backboard. Pad. Ensure breathing is not restricted.

Secure head and C-collar to backboard. Pad as needed. Tape should stick to all areas of forehead, eyebrows, collar, etc.

Reassess distal pulse, motor, and sensation.

Citations:

Protocol 9-010 - References
Bledsoe B. E., 2013.
Boland, Satterlee, & Jansen, 2014.
Citizens Memorial Hospital, 2014.
Foerster, 2013.
Mercy EMS, 2013.
National Association of EMS Physicians and American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, 2013.
Niven & Castle, 2010.
National Athletic Trainers Association, 2015.

Change Log:

Date	Link to previous version	Description of change
10/15/18	pdf	Fixed issues with page numbers in indications section.
07/04/20		Renumbered the section to allow for future additions.
08/08/20	pdf	Added content (without substantive modification) from old Section 8-350 - Spinal Motion Restriction (SMR).
06/15/21	pdf	Moved to emsprotocols.online

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