Aspen Cervical Collar Patient Handbook Instructions
- September 3, 2024
- ASPEN
Table of Contents
Cervical Collar Patient Handbook
Product Information
Specifications:
-
Product Name: Cervical Collar
-
Design: Two-piece collar made of plastic with foam inserts
-
Features: Motion restriction, proper skin care, pad
replacement, pad cleaning -
Usage: Designed to restrict cervical spine motion for patient
recovery
Product Usage Instructions:
Motion Restriction:
Keeping your head and neck still is crucial for healing. Follow
these steps:
-
Always wear the collar and keep it properly tightened.
-
Only remove the collar to wash your face and neck unless
instructed otherwise. -
Always seek assistance from another person when removing the
collar.
Proper Skin Care:
Prevent skin issues by following these guidelines:
-
Keep your skin clean, dry, and cool.
-
Wash your neck and face daily and change moist or dirty
pads. -
Contact your doctor if you notice any skin redness or
sores.
Pad Replacement:
Follow these steps for pad replacement:
-
Ensure the pads cover all edges of the plastic to avoid skin
contact. -
Adjust pads so the gray/green material side grips the hook
dots. -
Clean the pads with soap and water, rinse thoroughly, squeeze
out excess water, and air dry.
At-Home Instructions:
Additional guidelines for at-home care:
-
Always keep the collar properly tightened.
-
Require assistance when removing the collar.
-
Only remove the collar for washing your face and neck as
needed. -
Follow the recommended frequency for washing your face and
neck. -
Avoid driving, operating equipment, and strenuous
activities.
FAQ:
Q: What should I do if I experience sudden neck or back pain,
numbness, or tingling?
A: Contact your doctor immediately for guidance.
®
CERVICAL COLLAR PATIENT HANDBOOK
Be sure to follow all instructions you have been given by your doctor or
nurse. The information is offered as a guideline only, and is not a medical
recommendation. If you experience sudden neck or back pain numbness or
tingling, contact your doctor.
Motion Restriction
Keeping your head and neck as still as possible is an important part of the
healing process. Keep your collar on and properly tightened at all times.
Remove it only to wash your face and neck unless you have been given other
orders from your doctor or nurse. Remove your collar only with the help of
another person.
Proper Skin Care
Pressure, moisture, heat, and dirt can all lead to skin redness and sores. To
avoid this, keep your skin clean, dry, and cool. At least once a day, remove
the collar and wash your neck and face. At this time, moist or dirty pads
should be changed. Check with your doctor or nurse on how to keep your head
and neck still while the collar is off. If you notice any skin redness or
sores, call your doctor or nurse.
Instructions for Removal, Skin Care, and Re-Application
· Before taking off your collar, gather the supplies you will need: soap, wash
cloth, towel, and pads.
· Stand or sit in front of a sink with a mirror. Release the strap on one
side. Remove the collar and set it aside.
· Keep your head and neck straight and still. Use a wash cloth to clean your
face and neck.
· Rinse away soap and gently dry your skin.
· Remove moist and/or dirty pads. If needed, clean and towel dry the plastic
and straps. Attach the clean pads.
· Place the front of the collar so your chin comes to the front edge of the
chin piece.
· Place the back panel behind your neck.
· Connect the straps on both sides and tighten.
· Tighten the Support Strap until secure and comfortable (Aspen only).
Pad Replacement
Adjust the pads so grey/green color material side grips the hook dots. The pads must cover all edges of the plastic to avoid touching skin.
To change the back pad, push the hookstraps through the slits in the pad, and then through the slots in the outer edge of the plastic.
NOTE: The padding on the Cervical Collar has a notable white cotton side and a notable gray or green side that covers the foam. The white cotton will always face out and have contact with the skin. Adjust the pads as needed to make sure no plastic touches the skin.
Pad Cleaning
Hand wash the pads with soap and water. Rinse out all soap. Gently squeeze out excess water. Allow to air dry (6 to 8 hours). Do not place pads in a washer or dryer.
At-Home Instructions
·
Wear your Aspen® Collar for____weeks
·
Keep your collar properly tightened
·
Remove it only with the help of a second person
·
Remove it only to wash your face and neck
·
Wash your face and neck____ time(s)/day
·
Do not drive or operate equipment
·
Avoid strenuous activities
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Physician: Name: _ Phone Number: __ Fitting Specialist: Name: _ Phone Number: __ Follow-up appointment: ____ Questions? Call:
ART0910A 8/13
Designed in California
Cervical Collar Guide
Relevant Protocol: Protocol for Care of the Adult Patient in a Cervical Collar
Common Indications: o Trauma o Cervical spinal fractures
Images:
Figure 16
1
Types of Collars Stiff Neck Collar: The stiff neck collar is used by Emergency
Medical Services (EMS) to temporarily restrict movement of the head and neck.
The stiff neck collar brand name Procare is a one piece made of molded
plastic. Designed for short/immediate use.
Philadelphia Collar: The Philadelphia collar is a two-piece collar made of
plastic with high durability attached to softer non-allergenic and resilient
foam. This makes the collar feel softer and more comfortable than the stiff
neck collar. This, along with holes for ventilation, greatly improves comfort
for the user. The Philadelphia cervical collar is resistant to liquids and
cleans easily with mild soap and water. Designed for moderate length of time
use.
Miami J Cervical Collar: A Miami J collar is a neck brace used to prevent
head and neck movement after a spinal cord injury or surgery. It supports the
neck muscles and gives the spinal cord and ligaments time to heal. The collar
is made of hard plastic, with Velcro straps to keep it closed.
Aspen Cervical Collar: The Aspen Cervical Collar is designed to restrict
cervical spine flexion, extension and rotation to promote patient recovery.
Motion control of cervical spine flexion. The aspen collar is made of semi-
rigid plastic with foam inserts to provide additional comfort
2
VIDEO: Understanding the Aspen Collar:
https://youtu.be/jgxv4L9CZbg?si=ANqiRJS0Nl_gTd9Z
Nursing Interventions: o Ensure an accurate fit Head should be midline Chin
should be in center of collar Chin should not slip inside collar Patient
should not be able to nod yes—too loose Patient should be able to open
mouth–if not too tight o Cervical Collar Care: Who gets cervical collar care?
any adult patient in a cervical collar with MD order that collar may be
removed to provide routine collar care Who is excluded from cervical collar
care? any adult patient with explicit MD order not to remove cervical collar
(RN will not provide routine collar care). Supplies needed: 1. Cleansing wipes
or foam cleanser and washcloths 2. Dry towel/washcloths 3. Cervical collar
replacement pads
Pad Tips Each collar comes with an extra set of pads. Gently soiled pads can
be washed with soap and water, rinsed, and air dried for the next day’s use.
Heavily soiled pads will need to be replaced. Replacement pads should be
ordered from central supply. In high cervical collar traffic areas,
replacement pads will be stocked in clean supply rooms
Important Points A physician order specifying the cervical collar must not be
removed will be written if indicated.
3
Alternatively, a physician order will be written to provide cervical collar
care every shift if indicated. Contact the provider if patient condition (eg,
agitation) limits the ability to provide collar care
Personnel needed: Two (2) Registered Nurses (RN) at a minimum Collar Size:
Collars for adult patients come in regular, large, and extra
large Procedure for Cervical Collar Care
1. Wash hands, apply gloves and other PPE as indicated 2. Explain procedure
to patient and family 3. Best practice is to remove the headboard allowing RN1
to position themselves directly
behind the patient’s head (Figure 1a.); however, in instances when it is not
feasible to remove the headboard the alternative approach (Figure 1b.) may be
used. 4. With patient supine, RN1 stabilizes neck and maintains alignment
during collar care (Figure 1a).
Figure 1a.
Figure 1b.
5. Alternatively, if the headboard is unable to be removed, stand to the side
of the patient, place one hand on either side of the head to stabilize the
neck when the collar is being removed (Figure 1b)
6. RN2 removes front of collar (Figure 2).
Figure 2 7. Cleans, dries and assesses skin (Figure 3).
4
Figure 3
If redness or open lesion(s) place order for wound care RN consult. Change
collar pads at least every 24 hours and PRN for soiling (Figure 4), then
replace front
panel (Figure 5).
Figure 4
Figure 5
8. With RN1 assistance, log roll patient while stabilizing neck. Additional trained personnel can assist with log roll as indicated (Figure 6).
Figure 6 9. RN2 removes back panel of collar (Figure 7).
a. 10. Cleans, dries and assesses skin (Figure 8).
Figure 7
5
Figure 8
If redness or open lesion(s) place order for wound care RN consult. Change
collar pads at least every 24 hours and PRN due to soiling (Figure 9), then
replace back panel (Figure 10).
Figure 9
Figure 10
11. Gently roll patient back to supine position (unless otherwise indicated) (Figure 11).
Figure 11 12. Ensure correct placement/fit of cervical collar, lines, tubes, drains etc. (Figure 12, Figure 13).
6
a.
Figure 12
Figure 13
13. Document collar care (Figure 14, Figure 15 below). 14. If headboard was
removed for collar care, replace at this time.
a. All figures remain the property of Elsevier and are used with permission.
Figure 14
Figure 15
Additional Resources:
7
C-Collar Tutorial Video:
8
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>