Quote:
Originally Posted by nostatic
What are the odds this is driven by liability issues rather than ego/quality of care?
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A LOT of it. No question. They follow protocols which are not evidence based. Once it is apparent that transport is required, they should not take the time to take a medical history or do any diagnostic work, yet they still do. It's in the department protocol.
For example; If you are a gunshot or stabbing victim, you may be twice as likely to die if the EMS takes the time to immobilize your spine prior to transport, yet gunshot victims still arrive if full immobilization. It's hard to fathom.
For Gunshot and Stab Victims, On-Scene Spine Immobilization May Do More Harm Than Good - 01/11/2010