Biomaterial Database

Comparison of a vacuum splint device to a rigid backboard for spinal immobilization. 1996

D R Johnson, and M Hauswald, and C Stockhoff

New Mexico EMS Academy, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque 87106, USA.

In this study, comparison of a vacuum splint device to a rigid backboard was made with respect to comfort, speed of application, and degree of immobilization. The study was a prospective, nonblinded comparative study conducted at a statewide emergency medical services (EMS) training facility and included a convenience sample of emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic students. The vacuum splint was judged to be significantly more comfortable on a 10-point scale than the rigid backboard after subjects had been lying on each device for 30 minutes (P < .001). It was also faster to apply: 131.6 +/- 24.3 seconds versus 154.6 +/- 22.2 seconds (P < .001). Various measures of immobilization were similar for the two devices. The vacuum splint provided better Immobilization of the torso and less slippage on a gradual lateral tilt. The rigid backboard with head blocks was slightly better at immobilizing the head. Vacuum splints offer a significant improvement in comfort over a traditional backboard for the patient with possible spinal injury. They can be applied in reasonable time frames and provide a similar degree of immobilization when compared to a standard rigid backboard.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007103	Immobilization	The restriction of the MOVEMENT of whole or part of the body by physical means (RESTRAINT, PHYSICAL) or chemically by ANALGESIA, or the use of TRANQUILIZING AGENTS or NEUROMUSCULAR NONDEPOLARIZING AGENTS. It includes experimental protocols used to evaluate the physiologic effects of immobility.	Hypokinesia, Experimental,Experimental Hypokinesia,Experimental Hypokinesias,Hypokinesias, Experimental
D011446	Prospective Studies	Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group.	Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D004632	Emergency Medical Services	Services specifically designed, staffed, and equipped for the emergency care of patients.	Emergency Care,Emergency Health Services,Emergicenters,Prehospital Emergency Care,Emergency Care, Prehospital,Emergency Services, Medical,Medical Services, Emergency,Services, Emergency Medical,Emergency Health Service,Emergency Medical Service,Emergency Service, Medical,Emergicenter,Health Service, Emergency,Health Services, Emergency,Medical Emergency Service,Medical Emergency Services,Medical Service, Emergency,Service, Emergency Health,Service, Emergency Medical,Service, Medical Emergency,Services, Emergency Health,Services, Medical Emergency
D004867	Equipment Design	Methods and patterns of fabricating machines and related hardware.	Design, Equipment,Device Design,Medical Device Design,Design, Medical Device,Designs, Medical Device,Device Design, Medical,Device Designs, Medical,Medical Device Designs,Design, Device,Designs, Device,Designs, Equipment,Device Designs,Equipment Designs
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013124	Spinal Injuries	Injuries involving the vertebral column.	Injuries, Spinal,Injury, Spinal,Spinal Injury
D013165	Splints	Rigid or flexible appliances that are used to maintain a displaced or movable part in position, or to maintain the position of and protect an injured part.	Dynamic Orthoses,Dynamic Splint,Dynamic Splinting,Dynamic Splints,Static Orthoses,Static Splint,Static Splinting,Static Splints,Dynamic Splintings,Splint,Splint, Dynamic,Splint, Static,Splinting, Dynamic,Splinting, Static,Splints, Dynamic,Splints, Static,Static Orthose
D014618	Vacuum	A space in which the pressure is far below atmospheric pressure so that the remaining gases do not affect processes being carried on in the space.	Vacuums