An international survey of the structure and process of care for traumatic spinal cord injury in acute and rehabilitation facilities: lessons learned from a pilot study

This study looks at how different hospitals and rehab centers around the world care for people with traumatic spinal cord injuries (tSCI). They wanted to see what resources and procedures these facilities have in place. The researchers used a survey to ask hospitals and rehab centers about things like specialized care, how quickly they provide treatment, whether they focus on the patient's needs, and if they use the latest research. The study found that many facilities, both in richer and poorer countries, are doing well in providing tSCI care. However, there are also some areas where many facilities struggle, like providing peer counseling.

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  Some indicators were met equally well by both HIC and LMIC, such as 24-hour access to CT scanners in acute care and out-patient services at rehabilitation facilities.
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  Some indicators were hard to meet for LMIC but not for HIC, such as having a multidisciplinary team or standardized practice of care based on best available evidence.
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  Some indicators were hard to meet by both HIC and LMIC, including having peer counselling programs, regular use of data to inform SCI care, and housing accommodation by rehabilitation facilities while patients await home renovation.