Spinal Clearance Study: Expediting the Spinal Clearance Process in the Major Trauma Patient

The Alfred Hospital receives approximately 40% of the major trauma patients in Victoria, all of whom are at risk for spinal injuries. The potential for spinal injuries necessitates the undertaking of appropriate spinal investigations, and a delay in the completion of these investigations exposes the patient to the risk of a missed diagnosis of spinal instability and of complications of immobility; the potential spinal patient is required to wear a neck collar and be nursed lying flat whilst awaiting the completion and the appropriate documentation of spinal X-ray investigations.

The purpose of this study is to identify the issues causing a delay in the process of the completion of the appropriate spinal investigations and the documentation of the results.

The outcome of the proposed research will be the development of a clinical management protocol to expedite the process, with the aim of optimising patient care and reducing complications.

• Multiple Trauma
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Spinal Injuries

Inclusion Criteria:

• Major trauma patients

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients not subjected to spinal position restrictions on admission
• Patients deceased prior to spinal clearance
• Patients transferred to another centre prior to spinal clearance