A spinal board, long spine board, or backboard is a patient handling device used primarily in pre-hospital trauma care. It is designed to provide rigid support during movement of a person with suspected spinal or limb injuries. They are most commonly used by ambulance staff, as well as lifeguards and ski patrollers. Historically, backboards were also used in an attempt to "improve the posture" of young people, especially girls.
Due to the negative effects on patients laying on spinal boards for long periods of time, the practice of using them for prolonged periods is no longer recommended.
Extrication uses
The spinal backboard was originally designed as a device to remove people from a vehicle. After a time people were simply kept on the spine board for transport without evidence supporting this need.
Medical uses
A spinal board is primarily indicated for judicious use to transport people who may have had a spinal injury, usually due to the mechanism of injury, and the attending team are not able to rule out a spinal injury.
Despite its history of use, there is no evidence that backboards immobilize the spine, nor do they improve the person's outcomes. Additionally, cervical spine motion restriction has been shown to increase mortality in people with penetrating trauma and can cause pain, agitation, respiratory compromise, and can lead to the development of bedsores.
Adverse effects
Common clinical issues found with spinal boards include pressure sore development, inadequacy of spinal motion restriction, pain and discomfort, respiratory compromise and effects on the quality of radiological imaging.
It is advised that no patient should spend more than 30 minutes on a spine board, due to the development of discomfort and pressure sores. The conforming nature of the vacuum mattress means that people can be kept immobilized on it for longer periods of time and the immobilization offers superior stability and comfort. The Kendrick extrication device is another alternative.