In this chapter you will learn about the following: Describe the basic structure of the legal system in the United States, relate how laws affect the paramedic’s practice, list situations that a paramedic is legally required to report in most states, describe the four elements involved in a claim of negligence, describe measures paramedics may take to protect themselves from claims of negligence. | 9/11/2012 1 Chapter 41 Spine and Nervous System Trauma 2 Learning Objectives • Describe the incidence, morbidity, and mortality related to spinal injury. • Predict mechanisms of injury that are likely to cause spinal injury. • Describe the anatomy and physiology of the spine and spinal cord. 3 Copyright © 2013 by Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC, an Ascend Learning Company 1 9/11/2012 Learning Objectives • Outline the general assessment of a patient with suspected spinal injury. • Distinguish between types of spinal injury. • Describe prehospital evaluation and assessment of spinal cord injury. 4 Learning Objectives • Identify prehospital management of the patient with spinal injuries. • Distinguish between spinal shock, neurogenic shock, and autonomic hyperreflexia syndrome. • Describe selected nontraumatic spinal conditions and the prehospital assessment and treatment of them. 5 Spinal Trauma: Incidence, Morbidity, and Mortality • Most spinal cord injuries result from – Motor vehicle crashes ( percent) – Falls ( percent) – Penetrating injuries from acts of violence ( percent) – Injuries from sports ( percent) • Median age of spinal injury victims is 38 years – About 80 percent of victims are male 6 Copyright © 2013 by Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC, an Ascend Learning Company 2 9/11/2012 7 Why do you think this group is at increased risk for spinal injuries? 8 Spinal Trauma: Incidence, Morbidity, and Mortality • 40 percent of trauma patients with neurological deficit will have temporary or permanent SCI – Annual cost to society exceeds $5 billion • Cost can be attributed to SCI, vary greatly by severity of injury • Cost of lifelong care for a 25‐year‐old victim with permanent and severe SCI is estimated at more than $ million – Injury prevention strategies can have positive effect on incidence, morbidity, mortality associated with spinal trauma 9 Copyright © 2013 by Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC, an .
