Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding cervical collars in adult trauma patients amongst practitioners at three hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Background: The use of cervical collars in adult patients with possible injuries to the cervical spine has been an accepted standard of care for many years, despite the absence of evidence for the efficacy of these devices in preventing unwanted movement and harm. Changes to the terminology and reco...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-12-01
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| Series: | African Journal of Emergency Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211419X23000447 |
| _version_ | 1797399122188173312 |
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| author | Nicole Kissmer David Morris |
| author_facet | Nicole Kissmer David Morris |
| author_sort | Nicole Kissmer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The use of cervical collars in adult patients with possible injuries to the cervical spine has been an accepted standard of care for many years, despite the absence of evidence for the efficacy of these devices in preventing unwanted movement and harm. Changes to the terminology and recommendations of major trauma guidelines have been made but are limited by low quality evidence. In this context, little is known about what practitioners know, believe, and do, when managing the cervical spine of trauma patients. Methods: In this quantitative, observational, descriptive, cross-sectional survey a specifically designed questionnaire was used to collect data on the knowledge, attitude, and practices of practitioners managing adult trauma patients regarding cervical collars at three hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Results: A total of 128 completed questionnaires were collected, captured, and analysed. Participants with the additional qualification of ATLS and DipPEC had a mean knowledge score of 8.1 (SD=1.70), compared to those with no additional qualification of 4.5 (SD=1.9) (p<0.001). Participants in the Emergency Department (ED) attained a mean knowledge score of 7.1 (SD=2.2) followed by Surgery (Mean=6, SD=2.0), Orthopaedics (Mean=5.5, SD=1.7) and ICU/Anaesthetics (Mean=4.4, SD=1.8), p<0.001. Head blocks only were most frequently used by 97.4 % of ED, 55.6 % of Surgery, 3.8 % Orthopaedic and 22.2 % ICU/Anaesthetics participants (p<0.001). Conclusion: The knowledge of management principles of cervical spine injuries was influenced by the department in which practitioners worked, the frequency that they managed patients with suspected injuries and additional courses. Head blocks were the most frequently used spinal protection device in all three hospitals. Most participants would be open to a change in practice if new guidelines were recommended. Further research is needed to determine the optimal management of patients with suspected cervical spine injuries and the role of motion restriction devices in limiting movement of the injured spine. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:34:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-17d3aca7e9fb44b5a73401c73cd9d539 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2211-419X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:34:53Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | African Journal of Emergency Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-17d3aca7e9fb44b5a73401c73cd9d5392023-12-09T06:05:50ZengElsevierAfrican Journal of Emergency Medicine2211-419X2023-12-01134241244Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding cervical collars in adult trauma patients amongst practitioners at three hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaNicole Kissmer0David Morris1Emergency Department, Harry Gwala Regional Hospital, Plessislaer, South Africa; Division of Emergency Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa; Corresponding author.Emergency Department, Harry Gwala Regional Hospital, Plessislaer, South Africa; Division of Emergency Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South AfricaBackground: The use of cervical collars in adult patients with possible injuries to the cervical spine has been an accepted standard of care for many years, despite the absence of evidence for the efficacy of these devices in preventing unwanted movement and harm. Changes to the terminology and recommendations of major trauma guidelines have been made but are limited by low quality evidence. In this context, little is known about what practitioners know, believe, and do, when managing the cervical spine of trauma patients. Methods: In this quantitative, observational, descriptive, cross-sectional survey a specifically designed questionnaire was used to collect data on the knowledge, attitude, and practices of practitioners managing adult trauma patients regarding cervical collars at three hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Results: A total of 128 completed questionnaires were collected, captured, and analysed. Participants with the additional qualification of ATLS and DipPEC had a mean knowledge score of 8.1 (SD=1.70), compared to those with no additional qualification of 4.5 (SD=1.9) (p<0.001). Participants in the Emergency Department (ED) attained a mean knowledge score of 7.1 (SD=2.2) followed by Surgery (Mean=6, SD=2.0), Orthopaedics (Mean=5.5, SD=1.7) and ICU/Anaesthetics (Mean=4.4, SD=1.8), p<0.001. Head blocks only were most frequently used by 97.4 % of ED, 55.6 % of Surgery, 3.8 % Orthopaedic and 22.2 % ICU/Anaesthetics participants (p<0.001). Conclusion: The knowledge of management principles of cervical spine injuries was influenced by the department in which practitioners worked, the frequency that they managed patients with suspected injuries and additional courses. Head blocks were the most frequently used spinal protection device in all three hospitals. Most participants would be open to a change in practice if new guidelines were recommended. Further research is needed to determine the optimal management of patients with suspected cervical spine injuries and the role of motion restriction devices in limiting movement of the injured spine.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211419X23000447TraumaHard collarsCervical spineSpinal immobilisationHead blocks |
| spellingShingle | Nicole Kissmer David Morris Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding cervical collars in adult trauma patients amongst practitioners at three hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa African Journal of Emergency Medicine Trauma Hard collars Cervical spine Spinal immobilisation Head blocks |
| title | Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding cervical collars in adult trauma patients amongst practitioners at three hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_full | Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding cervical collars in adult trauma patients amongst practitioners at three hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding cervical collars in adult trauma patients amongst practitioners at three hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding cervical collars in adult trauma patients amongst practitioners at three hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_short | Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding cervical collars in adult trauma patients amongst practitioners at three hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_sort | knowledge attitude and practices regarding cervical collars in adult trauma patients amongst practitioners at three hospitals in kwazulu natal south africa |
| topic | Trauma Hard collars Cervical spine Spinal immobilisation Head blocks |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211419X23000447 |
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