Stabilization is a process to help prevent a sick or injured person from having their medical condition deteriorate further so that they can be treated. Examples include while the person is waiting for medical treatment and in the intensive care unit.
Stabilization is often performed by the
first person to arrive on scene,
EMTs, or
nurses before or just after arrival in hospital. It includes controlling bleeding, arranging for proper
evacuation, keeping patients warm with blankets, and calming them by providing personal attention and concern for their well-being. Stabilization is also often an important principal of care in an ICU.
It is particularly important in
trauma cases where
spinal injury is suspected to immobilize the cervical spine, or back. Failure to do so can cause permanent paralysis or death. In the field, spinal stabilization involves moving the person's back as a single unit with as many as five rescuers assisting, then applying a
cervical collar (which can be improvised from duct tape and cardboard), and securing victims to a solid-backed stretcher,
long spine board
A spinal board, is a patient handling device used primarily in pre-hospital trauma (medicine), trauma care. It is designed to provide rigid support during movement of a person with suspected spinal or limb injuries. They are most commonly used b ...
, or a
vacuum mattress.
Search and rescue
Search and rescue (SAR) is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger. The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, typically determined by the type of terrain the search ...
technicians trained in
wilderness first aid have a protocol for verifying that the spine has not been hurt (
clearing the cervical spine) when the victim is several hours or more from the
hospital
A hospital is a healthcare institution providing patient treatment with specialized Medical Science, health science and auxiliary healthcare staff and medical equipment. The best-known type of hospital is the general hospital, which typically ...
and evacuation may not be indicated. Without this technique, it may be necessary to carry a suspected trauma victim out only to discover that he had no injury worthy of the effort and expense.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stabilization (Medicine)
Intensive care medicine
Emergency medical services