title: [Parameters influencing the preclinical application of cervical collars].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The application of cervical collars is a standard procedure in emergency care of trauma patients. It is often observed that the application of cervical collars is performed incorrectly, which may lead to reduced immobilization of the cervical spine.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to analyze the practical skills of professional emergency care providers concerning the application of cervical collars.
  
  
  METHODS
  Emergency care professionals (n = 104) were asked to apply a cervical collar to a training doll. Each performance step was assessed separately. Furthermore, personal and occupational data of all study participants were collected using a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study participants included professional rescue personnel and emergency physicians. The average occupational experience of all study participants in out-of-hospital emergency care was 11.1 ± 8.9 years. Most participants had already received training on trauma care (61 %) and felt "very confident" in handling a cervical collar (84 %). The application of the cervical collar was performed correctly in 11 % of the performances. The most common error was incorrect size adjustment of the cervical collar (66 %). No association was found between the correct application of the cervical collar and possible parameters of influence, such as working experience in emergency care or participation in trauma courses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite pronounced subjective confidence regarding the application of cervical collars, this study shows that there are general deficits in the practical skills of applying cervical collars. Therefore, a critical assessment of the current training contents on the subject of trauma care must be demanded.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Unfallchirurgie und Orthopädie, BG-Unfallklinik Ludwigshafen, Ludwig-Guttmann-Str. 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Deutschland.|PHTLS Germany Research Group, Offenbach/Queich, Deutschland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kreinest
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Unfallchirurgie und Orthopädie, BG-Unfallklinik Ludwigshafen, Ludwig-Guttmann-Str. 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Deutschland.|PHTLS Germany Research Group, Offenbach/Queich, Deutschland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goller
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medizinische Biometrie und Informatik, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Deutschland.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rauch
authors.affiliation: PHTLS Germany Research Group, Offenbach/Queich, Deutschland.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gliwitzky
authors.affiliation: PHTLS Germany Research Group, Offenbach/Queich, Deutschland.|Klinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Klinikum Mittelbaden, Baden-Baden, Deutschland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Unfallchirurgie und Orthopädie, BG-Unfallklinik Ludwigshafen, Ludwig-Guttmann-Str. 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matschke
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Unfallchirurgie und Orthopädie, BG-Unfallklinik Ludwigshafen, Ludwig-Guttmann-Str. 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Deutschland.|PHTLS Germany Research Group, Offenbach/Queich, Deutschland.
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Wölfl
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Unfallchirurgie und Orthopädie, BG-Unfallklinik Ludwigshafen, Ludwig-Guttmann-Str. 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Deutschland. matthias.muenzberg@bgu-ludwigshafen.de.|PHTLS Germany Research Group, Offenbach/Queich, Deutschland. matthias.muenzberg@bgu-ludwigshafen.de.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Münzberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007318:Inservice Training; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: ATLS; Cervical collar; Immobilization; PHTLS; Spine