The use of the spinal board after the pre-hospital phase of trauma management.
OBJECTIVE
For pre-hospital spinal immobilisation the spinal board is the established gold standard. There are concerns that its subsequent use in hospital may adversely affect patient outcome. This review examines the effect of prolonged patient immobilisation on the spinal board.


METHODS
A database search of the literature and review of relevant trauma texts.


RESULTS
Complications associated with the use of the spinal board were found in five clinically relevant categories: pressure sore development; inadequacies of spinal immobilisation and support; pain and discomfort; respiratory compromise; and quality of radiological imaging.


CONCLUSIONS
The spinal board should be removed in all patients soon after arrival in accident and emergency departments, ideally after the primary survey and resuscitation phases.
Vickery
D
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Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Department of Accident and Emergency Medicine, UK. davidvickery@yahoo.com
D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*