Motion generated in the unstable lumbar spine during hospital bed transfers

A parallel group design with repeated measures using a cadaver model was employed.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare lumbar spine motion generated in the presence of spinal instabilities during common hospital moves using different transfer techniques.

Up to 25% of spinal cord injuries may occur during initial management of the patient with a compromised spinal column, when multiple transfers between diagnostic locations and operating, recovery and hospital rooms are often required. Few studies have compared methods of moving patients with lumbar spinal column injuries in hospital settings.

A global instability was created in 3 cadavers at L1 and sensors were attached to T12 and L2. A 3-dimensional electromagnetic tracking system (Liberty, Polhemus Inc) was used to measure flexion, lateral bending, and axial rotation while moving a cadaver from one bed to another to compare 2 transfer techniques used in hospitals: manual transfer and the On3, a motorized lateral transfer device (Hill-Rom, Batesville, IN).

Significant increases in lumbar angulations (P<0.05 for all motions) were produced by manual transfers as compared with the On3 device. Manual transfers completed with 6 trained personnel produced 153% more flexion, 92% more axial rotation, and 177% more lateral bending than moves performed by 2 people with the On3 transfer device.

The On3 device reduced motion in the patient with an unstable lumbar spine during hospital bed transfers with fewer personnel.