Abstract
South Africa is a country burdened by a high incidence of trauma due to excessive rates of interpersonal violence and transport accidents. Spinal injury from trauma, although uncommon, usually has devastating consequences such as death or disability. A high degree of suspicion of spinal injury in all trauma patients is therefore encouraged, and spinal immobilisation is considered an accepted intervention to prevent progression of a potential injury. Traditional guidelines such as these lack reliable evidence to support the practice and have been founded on logical reasoning and expert opinion. To establish evidence-based care, this systematic review seeks to answer the question ‘What emergency nursing interventions used in blunt and penetrating trauma patients with suspected spinal injury produced the best patient outcomes?’ To answer this question, accepted methods of the systematic review process were adhered to. Six electronic databases were systematically searched to identify potentially relevant research. Sources selected based on pre-established criteria were critically appraised and analysed. Data extracted were narratively synthesised using an established framework to infer conclusions and make recommendations...
M.Cur. (Nursing)