title: Spine clearance--a trauma center's standardized approach to assist care givers.
abstract: Spine clearance is a high-volume, high-risk issue for trauma centers. Spinal cord injuries can be one of the most devastating injuries a person can incur. The initial treatment regimen can affect the occurrence of permanent injury. Pre-hospital providers take great pains to immobilize the spine. This article describes an approach adopted by a Level I trauma center to manage admitted patients where a spinal column or ligamentous injury has not been determined.
authors.affiliation: Trauma Intensive Care Unit, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA., USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pierce
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: March
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing*