What Are the Precautions for Transporting Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries?
In case of spinal cord injury, it can be considered as a very serious type of trauma. If the condition is severe, the patient needs to be treated in the hospital and go through a long rehabilitation period after recovery. If the disease has been cured, it is also necessary to pay attention to some matters in daily life to avoid causing harm to the spinal cord. How should spinal cord injury patients be handled during transportation? It is best to do so under professional guidance. Spinal cord injury (four-person transportation method): One person stands at the head of the injured person, holding the head on both sides with the palms to longitudinally traction the neck, and wearing a neck brace if conditions permit; the other three people stand on the same side of the injured person (usually the right side), respectively at the shoulder and back, waist and hips, knees and ankles, with their palms stretched out to the opposite side of the injured person; the four people kneel on one knee, use force simultaneously, keep the spine in a neutral position, and lift the injured person smoothly and place them on a spinal board with the head fixed; 6 to 8 fixation belts are used to secure the injured person to the spinal board.
(1) Stop the bleeding, bandage, and fix the injury before transportation. When a patient has a limb fracture, the fractured end is sharp and can easily puncture blood vessels and adjacent nerves. The former can easily lead to massive hemorrhage, while the latter can lead to paralysis of the corresponding muscles and limbs. Both of these conditions can be fatal secondary injuries to the patient.
(2) For unconscious patients, it is important to maintain a clear respiratory tract to prevent asphyxia.
(3) For cervical spine injuries, someone should assist in traction and fixation of the patient's head.
(4) For spinal and spinal cord injuries, it is important to avoid bending or twisting the patient's body. Avoid the incorrect transportation method of lifting the shoulders with one person and holding the legs with another. The patient should be lifted and placed flat on a flat board using a flat stretcher and lying on their back.
(5) During transportation, it is necessary to constantly monitor any changes in the patient's condition and adjust the tightness of the hemostatic bandage and fixation devices to prevent skin pressure injuries and ischemic necrosis. If symptoms such as pallor, dizziness, blurred vision, decreased blood pressure and pulse, nausea, vomiting, or agitation are observed, transportation should be suspended, and emergency treatment should be performed on the spot.
