Re: Traction Splints

[Wildmedic17@aol.com]

       You are correct - I should have read the original post more closely. 
An OPEN femur fracture should indeed be splinted on scene in most cases; only 
interventions to secure airway and breathing would be a priority to such an 
injury, considering the potentially large amount of blood loss.   
        If quickly applied concurent witth spinal immobilization, a traction 
splint could probably be done with no delay in tx at all.
       Even in the worst case scenario - where you had to completely 
"unpackage" the patient to apply the traction splint with NO help for some 
reason, most of it could be done expediently by one CM while the other 
completed an assessement and/or other interventions.  

Allan


<< Can you provide the citation of not using a traction splint.  I can 
see not splinting any other body part except for the femur.  While 
the backboard will provide adequate stabilization for anything, 
including the extremities, only a traction splint can minimize blood 
loss in the thigh.>>




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