WILMINGTON, Ohio — A new study released in the Jan-March, 2006 issue of Prehospital Emergency Care Journal indicates the Ferno Scoop EXL Stretcher “was found to be as effective as, if not superior to, the standard of care, a rigid long backboard” when used for spinal immobilization.
The Scoop EXL Stretcher is made of lightweight, high-impact composite materials, featuring two hinged, interlocking pieces that can be used to gently scoop up a patient without having to roll them. The advantage of the Scoop EXL comes from “the elimination of two logroll maneuvers, [used] during application and removal from the (long) backboard”.
Comparing the Scoop EXL to a traditional long backboard, the study used motion sensors to measure degrees of movement in three planes along the spine during typical maneuvers used to transfer, restrain, and transport a patient during immobilization. The Scoop EXL demonstrated “6-8 degrees less movement in all planes of motion during application”, or three to five times less movement than using a traditional long backboard.
This study is titled “Comparison of the Ferno Scoop Stretcher with the Long Backboard for Spinal Immobilization”. The lead author is Julie M. Krell, MD and the study was conducted through the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Thirty one adult subjects were tested by placing magnetic sensors on the nasion and the C3 and T12 spinous processes with movement recorded by a ganiometer. All subjects were placed in a rigid cervical collar.
The study also found that using the Scoop EXL increased levels of comfort and sense of security among the test subjects. For more information on the Scoop EXL Stretcher contact Ferno at 877-733-0911 or visit www.ferno.com.