Patients Immobilized with a Long Spine Board Rarely Have Unstable Thoracolumbar Injuries.

Most Emergency Medical Services (EMS) protocols require spine immobilization with both a cervical collar and long spine board for patients with suspected spine injuries. The goal of this research was to determine the prevalence of unstable thoracolumbar spine injuries among patients receiving prehospital spine immobilization: a 4-year retrospective review of adult subjects who received prehospital spine immobilization and were transported to a trauma center. Prehospital and hospital records were linked.

Parenteral midazolam is superior to diazepam for treatment of prehospital seizures.

Introduction: Diazepam and midazolam are commonly used by paramedics to treat seizures. A period of drug scarcity was used as an opportunity to compare their effectiveness in treating prehospital seizures.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of a single, large, commercial agency during a 29-month period was performed.