Regional Emergency Medical Advisory Committee of New York City
Certified First Responder Support Protocols
Copyright January 1996 (8/96)

325 BONE AND JOINT INJURIES

Monitor the airway.

Administer oxygen, if appropriate.

Control external bleeding.

Avoid excessive pressure over injury sites.

Assess for shock and treat, if appropriate. (See Protocol #315.)

Manually stabilize the injury.

Cover protruding bones and associated wounds with dry, sterile dressings.

Immobilize the injury.

NOTE:CHECK FOR PERIPHERAL (DISTAL) PULSES, MOTOR FUNCTION, AND SENSATION IN THE INJURED EXTREMITY BEFORE AND AFTER IMMOBILIZATION.


Angulated long bone deformities should be straightened, provided resistance is not felt, into a splintable position.

Joints above and below the deformity should be immobilized.

A deformed joint should be immobilized in the position found, unless it cannot be effectively immobilized in this position.

Request additional assistance for all femur fractures.

Elevate the injury site, if possible.

NOTE:

SPLINTING SHOULD NOT DELAY TRANSPORT OF THE CRITICAL OR UNSTABLE PATIENT.



Transport in accordance with first response agency policy.

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