Cervical spine clearance

Background

• US and Canada with more than 13 million trauma pts per year at risk for C-spine injury
• Most blunt trauma patients will be placed in a cervical collar by EMS to protect the C-spine
• C-spine can be clinically cleared by trained personnel

Decision Rules

===NEXUS===

The Nexus Low Risk Criteria

• No posterior midline cervical spine tenderness
• No evidence of intoxication
• A normal level of alertness
• No focal neurological deficits
• No painful distracting injuries

C-spine imaging indicated unless pt meets all the above