Best Practice Case Studies-Pre-Hospital Care Spine-Injured Athlete

Pdf Summary

The Journal of Athletic Training's article "Prehospital Care of the Spine-Injured Athlete" discusses best practices and current concepts in managing spine injuries in American tackle football. The Spine Injury in Sport Group (SISG), consisting of 25 healthcare professionals, convened in March 2019 to review literature and discuss evidence-based medicine for the prehospital treatment of cervical spine injuries. The consensus emphasized optimizing post-injury outcomes through evidence-based care, particularly given the unique challenges posed by protective football equipment like helmets and shoulder pads.<br /><br />In the United States, sports are a significant cause of spinal cord injuries (SCIs), with football having the highest incidence of catastrophic cervical spine injuries due to high participation rates. Proper prehospital care can prevent severe health, financial, and quality of life impacts on injured athletes and their families.<br /><br />The article stresses the importance of guidelines for on-field management and emphasizes the evolving science of prehospital spine care. The SISG, following the Inter-Association Task Force, provides recommendations for the initial evaluation, emergency care, and safe transfer of spine-injured athletes. The document serves as a guide rather than a care standard, with clinical decisions ultimately at the discretion of medical professionals based on specific scenarios and available resources.<br /><br />Key principles include establishing emergency protocols, maintaining calm and orderly emergency scenes, ensuring appropriate airway access, and familiarization with various restraint devices and transfer techniques. The aim is to stabilize the athlete, restrict spinal motion, and secure them for transport to specialized facilities. Regular practice and interprofessional collaboration are recommended to improve response effectiveness.<br /><br />Future research is encouraged to advance treatment strategies and improve outcomes. Adherence to these guidelines can enhance the care of spine-injured athletes, potentially reducing the associated morbidity and mortality.

Meta Tag

Edition 3rd Edition

Related Case 3rd Edition, CASE 53

Topic Spine

Keywords

3rd Edition, CASE 53

3rd Edition

Spine

spine injuries

American tackle football

prehospital care

cervical spine injuries

Spine Injury in Sport Group

emergency protocols

protective equipment

on-field management

spinal cord injuries

interprofessional collaboration