Clinical Practice Guidelines
These Clinical Practice Guidelines have been developed for professionals by the Consortium for Spinal Cord Medicine, which is made up of 23 professional and consumer groups concerned with spinal cord injury care, and funded by the Paralyzed Veterans of America. All Guidelines are based on the latest research/evidence as well as expert opinion (when research is lacking). They can be downloaded for free so you can share them with your healthcare providers and discuss them. Current topics include:
Sexuality & Reproductive Health in Adults with SCI
Early Acute Management in Adults with SCI
Bladder Management for Adults with Spinal Cord Injury
Preservation of Upper Limb Function Following Spinal Cord Injury
Respiratory Management Following Spinal Cord Injury
Depression Following Spinal Cord Injury
Neurogenic Bowel Management in Adults with Spinal Cord Injury
Outcomes Following Spinal Cord Injury
Acute Management of Autonomic Dysreflexia: Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury Presenting to Health Care Facilities
Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment Following Spinal Cord Injury
Prevention of Thromboembolism in Spinal Cord Injury
In addition, these have been further developed into educational booklets for people with SCI and their caregivers. They can also be downloaded for free. They are invaluable for understanding how to take care of yourself, and for training caregivers. Current consumer topics include:
Autonomic Dysreflexia: What You Should Know
Preservation of Upper Limb Function Following Spinal Cord Injury: What You Should Know
Depression: What You Should Know
Bladder Management following SCI: What you should know.
Expected Outcomes What you should Know (separate booklets for C1-3, C4, C5, C6, C7-8, T1-9, T10-L1, and L2-S5 neurologic injuries)
Neurogenic Bowel: What You Should Know
Pressure Ulcers: What You Should Know
Respiratory Management Following Spinal Cord Injury: What You Should Know
Some of these are also available in Spanish.
(KLD)