Vacuum stretchers can help move your patient without worsening their injuries. These gurneys take the shape of the casualty’s body and reduce the pressure on the wound. They are also comfortable and immobilize the patient during transportation. Since they are specialized, vacuum stretchers are suitable for particular injuries, which we will explore today.
You would use a vacuum stretcher when you need to immobilize a casualty during transportation. A person who’s broken their hip mustn’t move the fractured zone. Movement can cause sharp bone edges to tear more tissues causing more pain and bleeding. You would also use a vacuum stretcher when moving a patient with an injured spine.
Let’s look at these rescue situations in more detail.
1 – When Moving A Casualty With A Fractured Hip
Immobility of the injured zone is critical when moving a patient with a hip fracture. Hip bone fractures are extremely painful. Moving the patient will worsen the pain and injury and could warrant a hip bone replacement. A vacuum stretcher helps keep the injured area still.
Vacuum Stretcher Features
The vacuum stretcher has several features that make it the best for hip fracture rescues. They include:
- It’s manufactured from cold-resistant and isolative PVC materials. These materials help to maintain the patient’s body temperature during transportation.
- Its compatibility with MRI, CT Scan, and X-ray machines. This feature allows physicians to examine the patient on these machines without having to transfer them to another stretcher.
- It’s flexible, as shown in the image below. This flexibility allows you to wrap it around a casualty, providing comfort and protection.
Alt: wrapping a vacuum stretcher around a dummy
- Its adjustable softness. The dual action pump allows you to adjust the stretcher’s softness of the harness to ensure patient comfort.
- It’s small in size when folded. Its deflated and folded size occupies little space. Its small volume makes it easy to transport to the emergency area.
What is A Hip Fracture?
A hip fracture occurs when the casualty raptures the bone joining the femur and the pelvis. This injury is more common in elderly patients with osteoporosis.
Poor eyesight and balance in the elderly increases their risk of falling and getting a hip fracture. Younger people could also get hip fractures from severe falls. Other factors that present a high risk of hip fractures include:
- Gender. Older women experience the highest cases of hip fractures.
- Lifestyle. Living a sedentary lifestyle weakens bones and increases their chances of breaking.
- Nutrient deficiency. People with calcium and vitamin D deficiency are more prone to osteoporosis.
- Medication. Some drugs cause drowsiness which increases the risk of falling.
Hip fractures require immediate medical attention. Once you get to the site with your vacuum stretcher, perform first aid before you can carry them on the stretcher.
First Aid For A Hip Fracture
First aid will help reduce pain and stop bleeding, making it easier to move your patient. Below are the steps to follow:
- Step 1: Stop the bleeding. Bleeding happens when the sharp pieces of the fractured bone pierce tissues and blood vessels. Stop the bleeding by applying pressure on the wound using a sterile cloth or bandage.
- Step 2: Immobilize the hip. Never attempt to realign the broken bone. Don’t try to push back the fractured bone. Immobilize the hip using splints and a bandage. Paddling the splints will help reduce pain and discomfort.
- Step 3: Apply ice to the swollen tissues to relieve pain and limit swelling.
Transferring The Patient To The Vacuum Stretcher
The safest way to transfer a patent to the vacuum stretcher is to use a scoop stretcher. The scoop stretcher enables you to lift and place the casualty on the vacuum stretcher while keeping them immobile.
The process involves a few steps.
- Step 1: Separate the scoop stretcher’s halves to facilitate the scooping process.
- Step 2: Bring the two scoop stretcher halves together. Ensure they’re locked using the twin safety locking mechanism.
- Step 3: Lift the patient using the scoop stretcher’s handles and place them over the deflated vacuum stretcher. The vacuum mattress should be pliable and have a little air.
- Step 4: Wrap the vacuum mattress around the patient. Wrap its harnesses to keep the patient in position.
- Step 5: Pump the vacuum stretcher, as shown below, to provide extract cushioning to the casualty.
Alt: rescuers cushioning a casualty
The casualty is now ready for transfer to a hospital via ambulance or rescue helicopter.
2 – When Rescuing A Casualty With An Injured Spine
Rescuing a patient with a spinal injury is just like rescuing one with a hip injury. The primary difference is that you must take extra care not to move the injured spine.
The spine has many nerves that control the movements and sensations of different body parts. Moving the injured spine could cause paralysis or death.
Preparation Stage
Preparation is essential given the sensitive nature of spinal injury rescues. Getting ready begins with performing first aid. Next, prepare the vacuum stretcher for the casualty by doing the following:
- Step 1: Unpack your vacuum mattress from its packaging and place it over the trolley. Also, unpack its pump.
- Step 2: Spread the deflated vacuum mattress over the trolley and ensure its straps are over the edge
- Step 3: Position the headrest on the vacuum stretcher
- Step 4: Inflate the vacuum mattress slightly, but ensure it remains foldable.
- Step 5: Prepare the patient by doing first aid. Immobilize the neck region using a cervical collar, as shown below:
Alt: paramedics immobilizing a patient’s neck region using a cervical collar
The vacuum stretcher is now ready for the spinal injury patient.
Transferring The Casualty To The Vacuum Stretcher
Use a scoop stretcher to ensure the injured spine remains immobile. Carrying a spinal injury patient is similar to transferring a hip injury one. Take these precautions for extra safety:
- When placing the casualty on the scoop stretcher, ensure they never incline past 20 degrees laterally.
- Use extra padding to keep the casualty’s neck and head region immobile and comfortable. You’ll need to place extra cushioning around the headrest.
- If the casualty has a helmet, don’t remove it. Place the extra padding around the helmet to keep the head and neck immobile.
Conclusion
You would use a vacuum stretcher in rescues requiring immobility. If you suspect the casualty has a hip or spine injury, use the vacuum stretcher to move them to the hospital. Transferring the patient to the vacuum stretcher requires a scoop stretcher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are vacuum mattresses better than spine boards?
Vacuum stretchers are better than spine boards because they cushion the patient, resulting in more comfort. The air also absorbs impact, keeping the injured area immobile.
Can I use a vacuum stretcher with a backboard?
Yes. You can use a vacuum stretcher with a backboard or on its own. The backboard helps to provide extra stability, which is critical in heavier patients.
Can a casualty remain on a vacuum mattress for more than an hour?
Yes. Vacuum mattresses are more comfortable than spine boards. Unlike rigid spine boards, vacuum mattresses assume the shape of the body’s contours. The extra comfort allows you to keep the casualty longer without causing soreness.
