OBJECTIVES

• Identify patient with fractures femur.
• Assess the neurological and vascular function distal to the injury.
• Provide the necessary and appropriate equipment and personnel.
• Properly apply Hare splint.

INDICATION OF PROCEDURE

Patient with suspected unilateral femur fracture, to decrease the pain and damage caused by the fracture.

PROCEDURE

• Undertake Universal precautions.
• Maintain ABC, Administer Oxygen as needed maintain SpO2 > 94%.
• Perform patient assessment (history, mechanism of injury, medications, past history and allergies).
• Rescuer one stabilize leg in the position found.
• Rescuer two exposes the injured leg and assesses the neurological and vascular functions distal to the injury.
• Rescuer two prepare traction splint
  • Position splint against uninjured leg.
  • Place the ischial pad against the iliac crest.
  • Adjust splint to length, extending the splint so that the bend is even with the heel of the foot.
  • Tighten locking collars.
  • Open and position the Velcro straps along the splint.
  • Release the ratchet, extending the entire length of the traction strap.
  • Place the splint next to the injured leg.
• Rescuer two applies the ankle hitch to the patient.
• Rescuer two applies gentle but firm traction.
• Rescuer one will now move the splint into position, which should be firmly seated against the ischial tuberosity.
• Rescuer one secures the pubic strap, by bringing the strap over the groin and high over the thigh.
• Rescuer one then attaches the ankle hitch to the traction strap.
• Traction strap is taken in, applying mechanical traction until the pain and muscle spasms are relieved.
  • Maintain manual traction until the mechanical traction takes over.
  • Traction can be stopped when the injured leg is approximately the same length as the uninjured leg.
• Secure the remaining Velcro straps around the leg.
• Reevaluate all of the straps.
• Reassess neurological and circulatory function distal to the injury.
• Transport patient on long spine board.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Open femur fracture.