Francois, S., Vincent, L., Paul-Georges, R., Louis, S., Nicolas, P., & Emma, B. (2026). Cluster-randomised-controlled trial evaluating the impact of implementing the Canadian C-Spine Rule in prehospital cervical spine trauma care by the French Emergency Medical Call Center: IPSTRAUC study - a protocol.. BMJ open.
Francois S, Vincent L, Paul-Georges R, Louis S, Nicolas P, Emma B. Cluster-randomised-controlled trial evaluating the impact of implementing the Canadian C-Spine Rule in prehospital cervical spine trauma care by the French Emergency Medical Call Center: IPSTRAUC study - a protocol.. BMJ open. 2026; PMID: 42114876
Francois S, Vincent L, Paul-Georges R, et al. Cluster-randomised-controlled trial evaluating the impact of implementing the Canadian C-Spine Rule in prehospital cervical spine trauma care by the French Emergency Medical Call Center: IPSTRAUC study - a protocol.[J]. BMJ open. 2026.
@article{francois2026,
author = {Saget Francois and Levrel Vincent and Reuter Paul-Georges and Soulat Louis and Peschanski Nicolas and Bajeux Emma},
title = {Cluster-randomised-controlled trial evaluating the impact of implementing the Canadian C-Spine Rule in prehospital cervical spine trauma care by the French Emergency Medical Call Center: IPSTRAUC study - a protocol.},
journal = {BMJ open},
year = {2026},
note = {PMID: 42114876},
}
TY - JOUR AU - Saget Francois AU - Levrel Vincent AU - Reuter Paul-Georges AU - Soulat Louis AU - Peschanski Nicolas AU - Bajeux Emma TI - Cluster-randomised-controlled trial evaluating the impact of implementing the Canadian C-Spine Rule in prehospital cervical spine trauma care by the French Emergency Medical Call Center: IPSTRAUC study - a protocol. T2 - BMJ open PY - 2026 AN - PMID:42114876 ER -
In France, cervical spine trauma frequently results in systematic prehospital immobilisation with a cervical collar, despite a low incidence of clinically significant injuries. This practice may lead to unnecessary discomfort, delayed care and emergency department (ED) overcrowding. The Canadian C-Spine Rule (CCR) is a validated tool for identifying patients at low risk of cervical injury but its use is currently limited to ED settings. An adapted version (CCRa) has been validated in Canada for prehospital use, demonstrating safe reduction in immobilisation rates. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety and clinical impact of CCRa implementation in the French prehospital emergency setting. The objectives are to assess whether the implementation of the CCRa by French prehospital emergency teams can safely reduce unnecessary cervical spine immobilisation in stable trauma patient, optimise imaging use and decrease ED overcrowding while maintaining patient safety.