A Lost Art?
Do you perform a “Rapid Roll Out” on almost every MVA? How can you
clinically justify this practice? It is intended to be reserved for the
multi-system trauma patient with low blood pressure. But today very few
MVA victims get any short spine precautions other than a c-collar. They
just get yanked out on a long board. While this appears to ignore basic
standards of care, little has been done to prevent it.
One
illuminating review of this issue was performed several years ago in
Eastern Pennsylvania. MVA Run report data was reviewed and compiled. It
is hard to believe, but only 170 patients out over 20,000 long spine
boarded had any type of short spine device applied. Don’t your patients
deserve better? I have been upset about all these patients getting at
best a "No-Neck"(wrong) sized cervical collar & then rolled out the
door. It makes no sense. So I decided to do something about it.
It had
been many years since any original thought had been devoted to short
spine care. I thought the key design objectives would be; Easy to
Apply, Easy to Use, Easy to Clean. A simple, fast, shortboard for rapid
extrication was what I had in mind. I think I did it. The Speedboard
has been used by many with great success.
For more information check out the Speedboard at Prolite or just click this link .
Paramedic Blog 
Gee, I wish i had helped design something like that…I would be proud! <G>
On a more serious note, this device is virtually a MUST in working motorsports events. It works marvelously in the sprint and midget cars, along with stock cars. This device is used extensively by the Eldora Speedway Safety Team. They do not run faster or crash harder at many places besides Eldora. Combined with a patient lifting strap, it takes all the hard work out of patient removal/extrication.
This design is wicked! You certainly know how to keep a reader amused.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well,
almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job. I really loved what you
had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
Too cool!