Cervi-Roll

The Cervi-Roll is used for head and cervical spine immobilization in general back boarding situations. Having experienced the use of sand bags, towel rolls and the multiple piece reusable commercial head immobilizers we felt something was missing. While speaking with a paramedic in regards to another product this medic interjected a comment that set off bells and whistles in our head. He said " I wish someone would make a reusable towel roll for head and spine immobilization." His department was not happy with the current commercial products but were restricted in the use of towel rolls due to blood contamination and that the local hospitals were not allowing them to exchange fresh towels for towel rolls left in the emergency department. Unhappy with the single use commercial immobilizers due to cost, his department had gone to purchasing bulk quantities of rolled paper towels to use for head and cervical spine immobilization.

With a lit light bulb suspended over our heads we went to the medics of the local fire department and asked if a reusable "towel roll" would be of interest. They were as unhappy with the current types of immobilization devices as we were and the answer was a resounding YES.

The Cervi-Roll system of head and cervical spine immobilization consists of two (2) foam rolls of equivalent diameter, length, density and compressibility as three (3) tightly rolled towels. Used in the same manner as towel rolls the Cervi-Rolls provide excellent head and cervical spine immobilization. The seamless protective coating (synthetic rubber) is rugged, durable, easily cleaned and long lasting. The coating is also repairable.

When asked why Cervi-Rolls as opposed to what is available currently we offer the following:

Current reusable head and cervical spine immobilizers consist of five (5) components that work together. A head pad that attaches to the backboard with Velcro straps, two (2) head blocks that attach to the head pad with Velcro, and head straps that hold the head blocks in place to the head pad with Velcro. The head pads fit varying backboards with varying degrees of efficiency. Some fits are snug, others loose. The head pads, once put in place, cannot be readily adjusted to the patients head because of the resistance of the Velcro and therefore not providing as snug as fit as some would like. Due to the height of the head blocks the head straps usually go straight across the patients head resisting upward movement of the head but providing minimal resistance to rotation or lateral movement of the head if the patient and backboard are rotated 90 degrees for airway maintenance. If the head pad does not have a snug fit to the backboard then the possibility of the head pad shifting exists. We also have heard complaints of the Velcro being difficult to clean and keep clean. Contaminants and dirt stick to the Velcro. The coating on units is prone to cracking and becomes stiff in cooler climates.

The single use methods of head and cervical spine immobilizers are varied in style. Some work very well while others are very marginal in the support they provide. One complaint we have heard is that in the long run, over a period of time, single use immobilizers become cost prohibitive. Even at their low purchase price, over a period of time the money spent can add up to a considerable amount.

One style of single use head and cervical spine immobilizer in use is a narrow cardboard strip that fits the head in the area of the forehead. These units attach to the backboard with tape and to the patients head with a strip of tape provided with the unit. This system provides support only in the area of the forehead and no support in the area of the lower head and neck. Other than a piece of tape over the cervical collar in the area of the chin the next area that is supported is the area of the upper torso strap. When a patient is secured using this method and the patient and backboard are rotated 90 degrees for airway maintenance, there is I support between the forehead area and the first torso strap. This spacing can allow for some head rotation as well as some "sagging" of the cervical spine and lower head between the upper torso strap and the head immobilizer. There is no continuous support of the cervical spine between the top of the patients shoulder and top of the head as in other methods of immobilization.

The Cervi-Roll system covers the area from the top of the patients shoulder to the top of the patients head. When taped with two (2) pieces of tape as per in the instructions the patients head and cervical spine, Cervi-Rolls and backboard become one firm unit to support the patients head and cervical spine.

While some may say rolling a backboarded patient for airway maintenance is not necessary due to the availability of suction, we disagree. Unless the suction unit says "Shop-Vac" on its side we have not found a suction unit that can handle the volume of emisis produced while a patient is vomiting.

Cleaning of the Cervi-Rolls is very simple. In some cases blood and emisis up to three days old has been removed with just the pressure from a garden hose. Most cleaning can be done with warm soap and water and the use of powdered cleaners such as Ajax or Comet Cleanser and a brush. SOS pads work great !!! If the outer coating becomes damaged or difficult to clean, the product may be shipped back to the manufacture for recoating for a nominal fee.