Traction Splint Usage in Prehospital Emergency Medical Services A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Personnel Knowledge, Application Frequency, and Ergonomic Challenges in the Field
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Abstract
Introduction: Femur fractures are potentially life-threatening injuries requiring effective prehospital immobilization. Traction splints (TS) are standard equipment for this purpose, yet their infrequent use raises concerns about skill decay. This study aimed to assess the self-reported knowledge, frequency of use, and practical difficulties encountered by Turkish 112 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel when applying traction splints, while acknowledging the limitations of self-reported data.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 263 prehospital healthcare personnel across Izmir, Turkey. Data were collected via a structured survey covering demographic characteristics, traction splint (TS) training, self-reported knowledge, usage frequency, and ergonomic challenges. Categorical variables were analyzed using the Chi-Square test.
Results: Over half of the participants (52.9%, n=139) reported never having used a TS in their career. A significant difference was found between professional groups and self reported knowledge levels (p < .001). Over 50% of physicians and paramedics rated their knowledge as "Very good," while most emergency medical technicians (EMTs) described theirs as "Moderate." The most frequently reported challenge during application was "patient positioning/access difficulty" (52.5%, n=138). Only 10.6% (n=28) of participants found the device "very suitable" ergonomically.
Conclusion: The traction splint is a low frequency piece of equipment, carrying a high risk of skill decay. The findings highlight significant ergonomic limitations in field use and disparities in perceived competency among professional groups. To ensure effective application when needed, targeted simulation based training---especially for EMTs---and the design of ergonomic equipment adapted to real world field conditions are strongly recommended.
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