1270 - Establishment of the first formal dedicated spinal cord injury unit in the Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation setting with comprehensive clinical management guidelines in an underserved area.

Objectives: Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) require high-quality healthcare to manage or prevent the associated or secondary conditions they may face. Depending on the extent of the injury, individuals might encounter sensory problems such as those related to skin, motor dysfunction, paralysis, or autonomic complications pertaining to bowel/bladder management. Individuals with SCI are also at a greater risk of developing secondary conditions such as chronic pain, urinary tract infections, and pressure ulcers. Our study aimed to create a comprehensive and objective protocol for managing patients affected by SCI in acute inpatient rehabilitation settings in a medically underserved area in El Paso, Texas.

Design: A correlational study design was used to determine the most effective care for patients with spinal cord injuries. Treatments and their associated outcomes were documented, and the protocols were established by consolidating the Consortium of Spinal Cord Medicine recommendations, as supported by the Paralyzed Veterans of America Organization.

Results: The clinic’s foundation is established on a multidisciplinary approach, integrating the expertise of clinicians, therapists, nurses, and other providers specializing in SCI. The protocol included detailed information for the management of SCI, which included topics such as bone health, neurogenic bowel, venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, etc.

Conclusions: These guidelines served as a comprehensive and evidence-based clinical framework for developing the first formal dedicated spinal cord injury unit in an acute inpatient rehabilitation setting in El Paso, Texas, a medically underserved border city with high uninsured rates. Our primary goal was to enhance patient outcomes and decrease morbidity in SCI patients by standardizing care and tackling contentious issues in SCI management.