A spinal board, also known as a long spine board (LSB), longboard, spineboard,or backboard, is a patient handling device used primarily in pre-hospital trauma care designed to provide rigid support during movement of a patient with suspected spinal or limb injuries. They are most commonly used by ambulance services, by staff such as emergency medical technicians and paramedics, but may also be used by specialist emergency personnel such as lifeguards.
A spinal board is primarily indicated for use in cases of trauma where the medical or rescue personnel believe that there is a possibility of spinal injury, usually due to mechanism of injury, and the attending team are not able to rule out a spinal injury. Due to the problems associated with extended use, it is designed primarily as an extrication device, especially from vehicles.
Backboards are almost always used in conjunction with the following devices:
a cervical collar with occipital padding as needed;
side head supports, such as a rolled blanket or head blocks made specifically for this purpose, used to avoid the lateral rotation of the head;
straps to secure the patient to the long spine board, and tape to secure the head.
American Lifeguard Products is proud to supply American Made spine boards by Prolite of Rapid Deployment Products Manufacturing in the USA.
|