Clearing the cervical spine is the process by which medical professionals determine whether cervical spine injuries exist. This process can take place in the emergency department or take place in the field by appropriately trained EMS personnel. It is based on the NEXUS (National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study) criteria. Excluding a cervical spinal injury requires clinical judgement and training. When a significant mechanism of injury is present, a cervical spine is determined to be stable if: Neurological deficit referable to the spine may require an urgent MRI scan.