Research To Backboard or Not To Backboard

Traditional spinal immobilization standards have changed in some emergency medical services systems to exclude routine spineboard use. Rather, patients are managed by employing spinal motion restriction; whereby only a cervical collar is applied and a scoop stretcher or sheet are used during ground-to-stretcher and stretcher-to-bed transfers. This research compared head movement and vital signs in backboard and stretcher-only conditions.

Efficacay of Spinal Immobilization and Spinal Motion Restriction in Minimizing Cervical Spine Motion during Patient Transfer

Comparing Spine Immobilization with Spinal Motion Restriction during Transport of Suspected Spine-Injured Patients

Prehospital Cervical Spine Motion: Immobilization Versus Spine Motion Restriction.