Splint Application
By immobilizing the site of an injury, a splint alleviates pain and allows the injury to heal in proper alignment. It also minimizes possible complications, such as excessive bleeding into tissues and restricted blood flow caused by bone pressing against vessels. In cases of multiple serious injuries, a splint allows caretakers to move the patient without risking further damage to bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and skin.
A splint can be applied to immobilize a simple or compound fracture, a dislocation, or a subluxation. (See Rigid splint.)
During an emergency, any injury suspected of being a fracture, dislocation, or subluxation should be splinted. No contraindications exist for rigid splints.
Equipment
Rigid splint ▪ bindings ▪ padding ▪ sandbags or rolled towels or clothing ▪ Optional: rolled gauze, cloth strips, sterile compress, ice bag.
An inflatable semirigid splint, called an air splint, sometimes can be used to secure an injured extremity. (See Using an air splint.) Velcro straps, 2″ roller gauze, or 2″ cloth strips can be used as bindings. However, avoid using twine or rope, if possible, because they can restrict circulation.
Implementation
Confirm the patient’s identity using at least two patient identifiers according to your facility’s policy.1
Obtain a complete history of the injury, if possible.
Provide emotional support to the patient. Explain all procedures to him to allay his fears.
Begin a thorough head-to-toe assessment, inspecting for obvious deformities, swelling, or bleeding.
Ask the patient if he can move his extremities.
Inspect and palpate the injured area for evidence of fracture or dislocation.
Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Full access? Get Clinical Tree
