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Suspected Spinal Injury

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Taken From:

NATA Consensus Recommendations and Best Practices for Emergency Prehospital Care of Spine-Related Injured Athlete

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Suspected Spinal Injury

Key Recommendations

  • Athletic programs should have an emergency action plan (EAP) developed in conjunction with local emergency medical services agencies specific to pre-hospital spine-injury care
    • Best practices are for an athlete with a suspected spinal injury to be transported to a designated Level 1 or 2 trauma center as quickly and safely as possible.
  • Sports medicine teams should conduct a pre-event medical time out before each athletic event (practices and competitions)
    • Participating in these “time outs” should include medical personnel from both teams, EMS personnel and game officials
  • When feasible, those with the highest level of training and experience in removal techniques should participate in equipment removal
    • Athletic trainers are recognized as the medical professional with the most training and experience in athletic equipment removal

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Suspected Spinal Injury

Key Recommendations

  • Removal of the helmet and shoulder pads can occur in the emergency room or on the field
  • There are potential advantages to on-field removal prior to transport to the hospital, such as improved airway management, access to the chest for CPR, and expedited care of the athlete
  • The decision to remove equipment before transport should be based on a variety of factors, such as the medical status of the injured athlete, type of equipment worn, number of onsite rescuers and training and experience of on-the-field and emergency room rescuers in equipment removal
  • If a spine board is used in the care of an athlete with a suspected cervical spine injury, non-athlete data recommends that time on the board be minimized, however, the board is left in place for transport to the hospital

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Suspected Spinal Injury

Key Recommendations

  • If feasible, spine-injured athletes should be transported to a medical facility that can deliver immediate and definitive care in the event the athlete has a significant cervical spine injury
  • This includes: an emergency department with certified emergency medicine physicians; personnel trained in equipment removal; advanced imaging services; spine surgeon consultation in house or readily available; 24/7 operating access; and critical care monitoring and rehabilitation services

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Institutional Policies on �Suspected Spinal Injury

  • Insert any particular policies of your university regarding Suspected Spinal Injury here.

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