title: The stages of extrication: a prospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many patients will require extrication following a motor vehicle collision (MVC). Little information exists on the time taken for the various stages of extrication.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report the time taken for the various stages of extrication.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, observational study carried out in the West Midland Fire Service's metropolitan area. Time points related to extrication were collected 'live' by two-way radio broadcast. Any missing data were actively gathered by fire control within 1 h of completion of extrication. This paper reports an interim analysis conducted after 1 year of data collection following a 3-month run-in and training period: data were analysed from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011 inclusive.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the study period 228 incidents were identified. Seventy-nine were excluded as they met the predetermined exclusion criteria or had incomplete data collection. This left 158 extrications that were suitable for analysis. The median time for extrication was 30 min, IQR 24-38 min.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients requiring extrication following an MVC a median time of 8 min is typically required before initial limited patient assessment and intervention. A further 22 min is typically required before full extrication. Prehospital personnel should be aware of these times when planning their approach to a trapped patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, Devon, UK.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nutbeam
authors.affiliation: Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust, UK.
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fenwick
authors.affiliation: West Midlands Fire Service, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hobson
authors.affiliation: Integrated Risk Management, West Midlands Fire Service, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Vikki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.affiliation: Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Palmer
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001336:Automobiles; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005392:First Aid / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D061214:Patient Safety; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017748:Time Management / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom