Scoop stretchers more effective for spinal injuries in rugby

Rugby clubs are being advised by professional medical governing bodies to use spinal scoop

stretchers when players are injured on the field.
We are advising advised that players suspected of suffering a spinal injury should be removed from the field with a scoop stretcher rather than the traditional rigid longboard.
A scoop stretcher is designed to lift patients from the ground, either due to unconsciousness or in order to maintain stability in the case of trauma, especially where a spinal injury is suspected.
A scoop stretcher can be split vertically into two parts, with shaped 'blades' towards the centre which can be brought together underneath a patient. The two halves are placed separately, either side of the patient, and then brought together until securing clips at the top and bottom both engage.
Traditional longboards are usually placed alongside the patient who is then “logrolled” on to the stretcher in a procedure which could make the injury worse.
Scoop stretchers reduce the chance of undesirable movement of injured areas during transfer of a trauma patient, as they maintain the patient in a supine alignment during transfer to a stretcher.
In a report from the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh* researchers measured the effectiveness of the scoop stretcher compared with a longboard and found that scoop stretchers where faster to deploy and secure the patient while significantly reducing any lateral movement which might damage the spinal cord.
Now, clubs playing in both codes of rugby are recommending the use of scoop stretchers in their minimum medical standards criteria.
At Ferno, where we make a range of scoop and longboard stretchers, we have witnessed an increased demand for scoop stretchers as sporting authorities around the globe have ruled in their favour as they can be used for patient transport, provided the patient is strapped in position. But for comfort reasons, it is recommended to transfer the patient to a vacuum mattress instead, in which case the scoop stretcher is put on the transport device and then opened.
Our MD Jon Ellis says: “Rugby is an international collision sport played at amateur, semi-professional and professional levels. The game is physically demanding during the course of a match players are exposed to numerous physical collisions and tackles.  As a result, musculoskeletal injuries are common.
“For medical professionals removing an injured player from the field on the scoop stretcher is increasingly regarded as the fastest and safest method for evacuating a player off the pitch for more detailed medical aid.”
Ferno has worked with numerous rugby clubs in the past including Huddersfield Giants, Salford City Reds, Leicester Tigers as well as football clubs Manchester United, Huddersfield Town, Arsenal, Bolton Wanderers and the England’s National stadium Wembley Arena to supply stretchers and spinal boards.
*Comparison of the Ferno Scoop® Stretcher with the Long Backboard for Spinal Immobilisation by Julie M Krell, MD; Matthew S McCoy MD; Patrick J Sparto Phd, PT; Gretchen L Fisher NEMT-P; Walt A Stoy PhD & Davide P Hostler PhD - Departments of Emergency Medicine, Physical Therapy and Centre for Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.