Trauma multidisciplinary QI project: evaluation of cervical spine clearance, collar selection, and skin care.

PURPOSE: To evaluate data regarding cervical collars and develop guidelines related to product selection, cervical spine clearance, and skin care. METHODS: Production selection and skin care were evaluated by multidisciplinary teams review of QI data. RESULTS: The multidisciplinary teams identified a c-spine clearance algorithm, a methodology for continuous skin evaluation, and a new policy for skin care under the c-collar. CONCLUSIONS: Focused attention to problems surrounding cervical spine immobilization can decrease patient complications.