Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena
| Thesis Title | Nursing assessment and management of suspicious vertebro-spinal cord injuries in pre-hospital setting |
|---|---|
| Name | Silvagni Valeria |
| Supervisor(s) | Minozzi Cinzia |
| Academic Year | 2014/15 |
| Thesis type | Non research thesis |
Abstract
Background: In patients victims of polytrauma is crucial to make early diagnosis of spinal cord injury, because failing at the identification can endanger the survival of the patient or cause severe disabilities with a significant impact on the socio-economic sphere.
Objectives: This thesis has deepened the study of trauma kinematics as a tool for early identification of potential spinal cord injury not detectable in an initial assessment. I also wanted to investigate the procedure of vital signs evaluation used by nurses in pre-hospital setting and as how it should take into consideration the spinal immobilization as a preventive measure of spinal cord injury secondary to patient’s mobilization.
Methods: Viewed material about spinal immobilisation was obtained from databases such as PubMed, Cochrane, Cinalh. The study of guidelines and procedures is taken from Italian and international leading emergency training courses (PTC advanced, PHTLS, ATLS). Epidemiological data are extrapolated from periodic reports of severe trauma regional registry (RRTG) to provide an overview of the situation in Emilia Romagna.
Conclusion: My work has placed special emphasis on the importance of nurse’s ability to look at the case in a holistic manner, by providing for the possible injuries before checking its presence and thinking about what might be the long-term outcomes of its intervention. At the moment the most effective tool available to nurses who work on patients with suspected spinal cord injury in pre-hospital setting is immobilization. Although there are no specific indications, it turns out to be the only way to prevent damage inducted by proceedings and by the ambulance ride.