Essay on truama c-spine - 1431 Words

Trauma C-Spine nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;This essay is not intended to criticize any emergency medical or hospital staff. I am writing this essay out of concern for patients who come into the emergency room that may have a jeopardized spinal cord resulting from an injury or suspected injury to their cervical spine. I am a certified emergency medical technician, farm-medic instructor and currently a medical diagnostic student doing clinicials. In the United States each year there are approximately 10,000 reported cervical spine injuries that come into emergency rooms. Motor vehicle accidents account for approximately 45%, falls approximately 30%, the remaining 25% from sports and miscellaneous. Although only a small amount of†¦show more content†¦nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; The radiographer’s job is to deliverer quality X-rays that have been ordered by the medical staff. Basic radiographs required to exclude a cervical spine fracture include lateral view, anterioposterior view, and an o pen-mouth odontoid view. The lateral view must include all seven cervical vertebrae as well as the joint space between C7-T1. If this is not possible because of patient size or condition then a swimmers view will be needed. The anterioposterior view should show all cervical vertebrae, while the dens and joint space should be visible on the odontoid view. These exams need to be completed in a timely matter while continuing to maintain cervical immobilization. The importance of obtaining quality X-rays cannot be overemphasized as the most frequent cause of missed cervical fractures is the result of inadequate films. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The medical staff role in the care of trauma c-spine injuries is to make sure that proper exams are done so that a proper diagnosis can be made. This is achieved by a good physical assessment as well as proper communication with the EMT’s about mode of injury, and evaluation of radiographs that have been ordered. If the radiographs are inadequate to rule out a fracture, then the need for repeated or additional X-rays or a CT scan should be obtained, until all vertebrae are visible and the possibility of fracture can be ruled out. This is how it is supposed to work.