Just wondering, what do you do with your patients' helmets when they come in by EMS to your emergency department after a motor cycle accident? We don't have a protocol on this, but unless the police need the helmet for evidence, I trash it. I do this because I was taught by several different trauma instructors at different facilities that after a person wearing a helmet has been involved in an accident, the shock absorbing padding in the helmet is no longer effective.
I've seen other nurses give the helmets back to the families, but I feel that if I do that the patient or other family member will reuse the now defective helmet, or sell it at a yard sale and set the next motorcyclist up for failure if they are involved in an accident.
They should be taken off the market so to speak, and throwing them in the trash can gets the job done. The only thing I would look in to is if there is any way to recycle it. Also, you might advise patients to contact their insurance, it might be something they will replace.
A friend's DH was in a horrible bike accident. She reasoned that since they gave her his helmet back that it was OK to wear. I asked her if they told her that it shouldn't be reused and she said "yes, but I think they just say that"
So, something to consider. I wonder if there is a way to have some stickers and printed info???
Ok, I agree with these statements. These helmets are your property, but to play devils advocate here...
What about the clothes we cut off of you during a trauma?
Or the car door we tear apart extricating you?
When my mom was a truama patient we got all of her bloodied cut up clothes back.
When I worked as a tech in the ED, I would always ask people or families if they wanted the clothes that we cut off of their loved one, some do some don't and then if they didn't we would dispose of them, but it is their property
So in theory, I get the, "Give the patient their property back" idea.
But based on:
I know that I would be ****** if you trashed one of my helmets. The things cost me over 300 bucks each.
and:
And I'd be pretty ticked if you threw away a piece of my property.
it appears like most patients, motorcycle trauma victims will have their priorities all out of wack, and instead on focusing on the good job those nice nurses and doctors and paramedics did of keeping them alive, they'll be focused on the fact that you didn't give them their helmet back.
If I ever am involved in an accident that prevents me from keeping control of my belongings by holding onto them or asking a loved one to do so, I don't give a flip what you do with my belongings. It would be nice if I could get my purse or wallet back so I have a few less phone calls and trips to make to get things cancelled/replaced, but really I'm just going to be glad I'm not dead.
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Ok, I agree with these statements. These helmets are your property, but to play devils advocate here...
What about the clothes we cut off of you during a trauma?
Or the car door we tear apart extricating you?
My clothes were given back to me. I had just spent 150 dollars on the outfit I had on the day before I got in an accident. I was able to get the money back for the clothes from the insurance company. The car door would be dealt with as the damage of the car and insurance.
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Ok, I agree with these statements. These helmets are your property, but to play devils advocate here...
What about the clothes we cut off of you during a trauma?
Or the car door we tear apart extricating you?
They should be taken off the market so to speak, and throwing them in the trash can gets the job done. The only thing I would look in to is if there is any way to recycle it. Also, you might advise patients to contact their insurance, it might be something they will replace.
But it's not your job to take it off the market or recycle it unless asked to do so. The person might want to keep it for sentimental/personal reasons. Not to use it again as their riding helmet. Not that the cost should matter when it comes to someones personal property, but we aren't talking about a pack of gum someone had on them. These is something expensive. I kept my clothes for a long time after my accident. It kind of was a reminder to me of how lucky I was to be alive.
So in theory, I get the, "Give the patient their property back" idea.
But based on:
and:
it appears like most patients, motorcycle trauma victims will have their priorities all out of wack, and instead on focusing on the good job those nice nurses and doctors and paramedics did of keeping them alive, they'll be focused on the fact that you didn't give them their helmet back.
If I ever am involved in an accident that prevents me from keeping control of my belongings by holding onto them or asking a loved one to do so, I don't give a flip what you do with my belongings. It would be nice if I could get my purse or wallet back so I have a few less phone calls and trips to make to get things cancelled/replaced, but really I'm just going to be glad I'm not dead.
It's not about priorities, there is no reason for someone to throw it away. Maybe their deceased father bought them that helmet right before they died. Or it was a gift from someone they no longer have. Maybe it meant a lot to them. Someone doesn't have to throw it away to save someones life. It's not as if it comes down to saving the helmet or the life. If the scene of the accident was really bad and it couldn't be recovered, then it is what it is. But if someone deliberately throws it away, that is a different story. I am not sure how someone wanting their property back means they didn't appreciate the care they were given or that they are alive.
Great discussion! Love the input, and I'll definitely change the way I do things. I've never had a patient ask me to keep the helmets, but I can see how they can hold a sentimental value. I don't want you all to think I was throwing them away to be a jerk, I was doing it in hopes to save lives.
I would def want my helmet back since my insurance would replace it for free. Besides it would serve as a good reminder of what not to do on the next ride.
I got all my stuff back, helmet with huge chips in it, cut off leather pants et boots.
That was about 25 years ago and as it turned out it was of great help to me to proof that my clothing and helmet were not all dark and had reflective stripes on them. As far as reusing the helmet is concerned, it's kinda like stuffing the airbag back in the steering wheel and covering it with duct tape.
Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.
I got all my stuff back, helmet with huge chips in it, cut off leather pants et boots.
That was about 25 years ago and as it turned out it was of great help to me to proof that my clothing and helmet were not all dark and had reflective stripes on them.
Yes. There are both insurance and legal reasons for the rider to retain his or her property.
Helmets can cost up to $400, boots $200, & riding suits or leathers, $700. You would not want to be offered reimbursement of $50 to buy cheap clamshell or $100 to replace damaged clothing.
And, as systoly points out, the quality and safety attributes of the clothing (reflective or Hi-viz, CE-2 body armor, etc) could have a bearing in a settlement claim.
The rider geared like this: does not to be depicted like this in a court of law
If you have qualms about the helmet being reused, take a big old piece of tape, write: DANGER,DO NOT REUSE on it and slap it on the helmet before returning it. It's private property, and it's potential evidence. Return everything.
In my some total of 22+ years I have only actually seen less than a handful of helmets actually make it to the ED. But as others have mentioned its treated like any other pts belongings- it goes to them regardless of its or the pts condition. As always law enforcement or criminal proceedings/search warrants trump everything.
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does not to be depicted like this 
in a court of law
lrobinson5
691 Posts
They should be taken off the market so to speak, and throwing them in the trash can gets the job done. The only thing I would look in to is if there is any way to recycle it. Also, you might advise patients to contact their insurance, it might be something they will replace.