Comments on: Patients Don’t Buy Backboards

By: Stuart Crutchfield,MD

Stuart Crutchfield,MD — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:01:21 +0000

I developed the InnovaBoard several years ago. It was a padded backboard. I am a neurosurgeon and got tired of having patients complain of pain. Unfortunately it was not a commercial success at that time. I’d be willing to help anyone who thinks they could make this idea a success.

By: The EMT Spot » The C-Spine Immobilization Controversy

The EMT Spot » The C-Spine Immobilization Controversy — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:02:12 +0000

[...] Patients Don’t Buy Backboards [...]

By: Greg Friese

Greg Friese — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:04:42 +0000

Steve, best thing I did was teach my lab to sit while I fill his food bowl and set it on the floor. Thus I still have 10 fingers for padding backboards before immobilization. I get a lot of strange looks and “whatever” shoulder shrugs whenever I add hospital blankets to the backboard.

Another post on backboarding today caught my eye, http://brownems.org/2009/06/introducing/

By: Medic999

Medic999 — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:13:15 +0000

We have had full body vac splints over in our service for quite some time. They are a great bit of kit, however, they do take a bit more effort to apply than just log rolling someone onto a spinal board, hence most people dont use them!
I personally love them for the multi trauma patient as you can actually do a full bosy immobilisation and put a bit of compression on the ? fractured pelvis.

By: medicthree

medicthree — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:10:01 +0000

Brilliant!

My dogs will eat pretty much anything. The little one is lucky to be alive after eating a cord(plugged in, mind you) to a dehumidifier. Damn circuit breaker saved her life.

I bet if patients bought backboards… we’d use a lot less of them too! I’ll not walk down that street right now though…

By: 40lizard

40lizard — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:45:43 +0000

I agree 100%! Even before taking the jump off into the world of EMS I agree that most devices are not patient friendly! I speak from personal experience after being involved in monster MVA several years ago- I was “packaged” on a long board and collar for almost 5 very long hours because of an inexperienced ER doc! I still recall that experience with dread!

By: the Happy Medic

the Happy Medic — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:21:34 +0000

Excellent words about how purchasing controls patient care. It really is in the hands of the care giver to alter the equipment to make it people friendly. A quick word on the vacuum splints though. About 8-10 years ago we tested one and were told it was the greatest thing ever, the salesman had answers for everything. We just loved the versatility and ability to put frail little Erma Fishbiscuit in the position we found her.

Then we got a call from St Farthest from a very upset physician who wanted to know why we didn’t tell them the splint was not x-ray luscent. “The manufacturer says it is” “My x-rays say otherwise.”

Turns out the filler was blocking their machines and they had to unpackage her.

That one encounter ruined the experience and the tool disappeared. Imagine the cost to make a spine board that actually did what it is designed to do!

By: Ckemtp

Ckemtp — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:01:58 +0000

Excellent post.

I think that my cat enjoys the taste of sweet, sweet victory. So the best food for her would be one that she was able to steal and chew through the bag every time to get.

Then she would throw it up.

We have the vacuum matresses. I use them often for hip fractures. The patient’s are no longer in pain once secured in the matress and given 100mcg of Fentanyl. Unfortunately, they’re not in the protocol for spinal immobilization and I can only use it when it’s justified by severe kyphosis or other like reason.

We should start a medical device company. I’ll get the VC funding if you pay for all of the product lawyers and FDA approval.