Trauma Guideline Manual - SUNY Upstate Medical University

Trauma Guideline Manual______________Upstate Medical University Trauma Center97PRACTICE GUIDELINES: APPLYING THE SPEEDSPLINT FEMORAL TRACTION DEVICEOBJECTIVES:1. Define the appropriate patient for the application of the Speedsplint Femoral traction device2. Provide an operating protocol describing the steps for applying this device.DEFINITION:The Speedsplint femoral traction device is a lightweight self-contained traction device that isdesigned to apply distraction to femoral and tibial fractures. Generally, it replaces the Haretraction splint.GUIDELINES:1. The Speedsplint should be consider for the temporary stabilization of the following injuries:a. Mid-shaft or distal femur fractures, open or closedb. Complex knee fractures, open or closedc. Proximal or mid-shaft tibia fractures, open or closed.2. Prior to application, adequate resuscitation should be ongoing. Application time is 2-3minutes and may distract the team from other life threatening injuries.3. Open wounds should be examined and addressed with appropriate sterile dressings. Activebleeding should be tamponaded with compression dressings.4. Obvious dislocations and massively open fractures should be reduced with manual traction5. The ankle should be examined for fracture. The Speedsplint cannot be used with anklefracture or very distal tibia fracture.6. One member of the team should apply and hold manual traction while the Speedsplint isapplied.7. Construct Box (this should have been previously done with the available units)a. Cross lateral tab (B) over contralateral tab (A).b. Bring bottom tab (C) up over the overlapping tabs A and Bc. Insert tab C into the slot.