title: The importance of maintaining spinal precautions.
abstract: Spinal injuries are devastating, often leaving the patient paralyzed or with a permanent deficit. Aspiring athletes may not be able to persue their dreams secondary to a spinal injury; families are often left without a major wage earner to support them; and individuals are dependent upon others for the fulfillment of their basic needs. Education is essential for the prevention of primary and secondary spinal injuries; nurses play a key role in both these areas.
authors.affiliation: Trauma Services, Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego, CA 92103, USA. freeborn-duffield.kellie@scrippshealth.org
authors.forename: Kellie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Freeborn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000465:Algorithms; D001915:Braces; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D003663:Decision Trees; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology; D018579:Patient Selection; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed