Improving the Use of Pelvic Binding Devices During Pre‐Hospital Care Through Application Modules on Advanced Dissection Specimens During Advanced Care Paramedic Labs

Abstract

The health sciences consist of several professional disciplines in which life‐saving techniques are exercised on a daily basis. Fields such as para‐medicine open the possibility of advanced pre‐hospital care, allowing previously fatal injuries to be stabilized during quick transport to a nearby trauma center. Emergency stabilization of acute pelvic fractures using pelvic binders, is but one of the life saving procedures done regularly; however, approximately 50% of pelvic binders are placed incorrectly during pre‐hospital treatment which could prove detrimental to the binder's success. A poor understanding of pelvic anatomy and the common bleeding sites could be a major factor for the limited success rate of pelvic binding procedures. While there are many videos showing the application of pelvic binding devices, none explain the impact these devices may have on the internal pelvic anatomy. This study aims to develop modules that clearly identify the major sources of bleeding from internal pelvic structures after a pelvic fracture has been sustained, as well as to indicate the location of major vessels in relation to commonly fractured sites. In addition to highlighting relevant pelvic anatomy, the modules will also demonstrate the proper application of a pelvic binding device through the use of the palpable landmarks on the pelvis and femur. These modules will be incorporated into an advanced care paramedic (ACP) program during their interactive lab sections. The ACP class will be randomly distributed into two equal sized cohorts; one of which will be shown the modules prior to attempting the pelvic binding technique and will have access to the modules during their lab, while the other will receive standard instruction. The number of attempts required to successfully apply the pelvic binding tool by each individual ACP student will act as the measure of the modules success. If the modules are successful, fewer attempts will be required to accurately place the pelvic binding tool, indicating that a better understanding of pelvic anatomy may translate to more accurate care in the field.