Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion General Message Board for Ankylosing Spondylitis and Related Diseases Safety guidelines for emt and other medical staff

I haven't posted in a while. Some time ago I saw and made a copy of a concise list of guidelines/safety information that emt and other medical personnel should know for those with AS and related conditions, including fused spine, vulnerable neck and airways, etc. I don't know what I did with it, and I would like to find such a list that I can carry with me. I believe it fit on a half page in small print. I am afraid I might not be intubated properly, and past surgeries have left me feeling as if I have strept throat.

My rheumatologist said that in the case of surgery or procedures I should be sure they are made aware of my condition.

A couple of days ago I was sent to the emergency room by my PCP because of the possibility of a stroke ( which fortunately it wasn't). When I was taken in for a CAT scan I told the technician of my AS, fragile neck, and fused spine, but she made no effort to help me with an additional pillow or allow me to support my neck with my hands. She said "It only takes two minutes" as she left the room.

I have searched the information at this site. Can anyone help or offer suggestions?


Evelyn, age 81, doing well considering

Hello @efran,

Thank you for your post. I am sorry that you had a bad experience at the ER when getting your CAT scan. Unfortunately, not all personnel and hospital staff are trained properly when handling patients with specific concerns. I have listed below three links to articles and videos that go into details about patient handling for Emergency Response Teams. I hope you find them helpful.

https://www.spondylitis.org/Spondylitis-Plus/Spondylitis-Plus-Articles/Fall-2006
https://www.spondylitis.org/For-First-Responders
https://www.spondylitis.org/Medical-Emergency

In addition, I would like to link you to an article that was written in our Spondylitis Plus Summer 2013 issue. Pages 8-13 highlight and discuss your concerns with the issues you faced with not being intubated properly. I hope that you fund this helpful and it might be a good idea to print this article or share this information with your surgeon in the future to help them get a better understanding on the concerns that Spondylitis Patients face during surgery and anesthesia.

https://www.spondylitis.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=GnEqfJQN4OE%3d&portalid=0

If you have any other questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Have a wonderful week.

Thanks, Kristine.

I had seen the first three things you show, but could not find the third site.

I also found the article about the training program, by Laurie M. Savage, from September 18, 2009. Issues sited in it include "airway management techniques, splinting techniques and transport considerations." The training is "to prevent further injury once a person has self-reported, in some way, that he or she has AS".


I have a good relationship with my PCP, rheumatologist, and orthopedic doctor, and they are very accommodating. Also, my current eye doctor is very helpful and very knowledgeable about AS.


I think that something in a very concise form would be very helpful to carry, as the provider would be more likely to read it.


My current major issues are with my legs and feet for which I am having therapy, and with what the ER doctor says "may be" trigeminal neuralgia.


Evelyn