What is the greatest risk to a patient during an emergency move?

During an emergency move, the greatest risk to a patient is indeed making the injury worse. When a patient needs to be moved quickly—perhaps due to an imminent threat such as a fire or explosion—there is a high likelihood that any movement could exacerbate existing injuries or cause new ones. For instance, moving a patient with a spinal injury without proper stabilization could lead to further damage to the spinal cord, potentially resulting in paralysis.

In contrast, while cross-contamination, the risk of dropping the patient, and the potential resumption of bleeding are valid concerns, they are often considered secondary in the context of immediate emergency movements. The primary focus during an emergency is to ensure that the patient is moved safely without risking their existing injuries. Consequently, the risk of further injury due to improper handling or movement takes precedence in assessing the greatest risk during an emergency move.