Make X-rays easier for trauma patients
Make X-rays easier for trauma patients
Elevate trauma patients on "blocks" on their stretchers so their X-rays can be done easier and quicker, recommends Darlene Matsuoka, ED clinical nurse educator at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The initial "trauma series"(including chest, pelvis, and lateral cervical spine) are done at the bedside on the patient’s ED portable stretcher, says Matsuoka.
"We use two trauma blocks’; one at the head of the bed and one at the foot, to elevate the backboard off the stretcher," she explains.
The trauma blocks, which are 6" x 6" x 36" each, are placed on the stretcher before the patient’s arrival. The X-ray films are slid into the gap between the stretcher and the backboard, says Matsuoka. "The blocks are removed when the films are done," she adds.
For a computed tomography (CT) scan, a slider board is placed on the CT table, and staff place the backboard on top of the slider board. "Rather than needing further lifting to position the patient in the scanner, the tech just slides’ the backboard on the slider board — less friction and work!" says Matsuoka. "This allows one or two people to continue the actual positioning, rather than the three or four people that are often needed. [Editor’s note: Harborview Medical Center plans to patent a product based on this idea. For more information, contact Darlene Matsuoka, RN, BSN, CEN, CCRN, Harborview Medical Center, Emergency Department, Mail Stop 359875, 325 Ninth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104. Telephone: (206) 731-2646. Fax: (206) 731-8671. E-mail: [email protected].]
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