Two years of bed procurement for patients with spinal cord lesions. A report on progress and experiences at the Bed Procurement Service at the Industrial Injuries Insurance Institute for Research in Traumatology at Frankfurt/Main.
The total number of beds provided in all specialised centres for the treatment of patients with acute spinal cord lesions in the Federal Republic of Germany is still insufficient. Therefore the attempt to transfer those patients to a centre from another hospital immediately after the lesion has occurred is very difficult. In order to assist physicians of the hospitals (where the patient has been first admitted) in the time-consuming task to find a vacancy in a specialised unit, the Central Association of the Industrial Injuries Insurance Association of the Industrial Injuries Insurance Institutes set up a 'Bed Procurement Bureau for Patients with Spinal Injuries' on 2 August, 1976. The heads of the units concerned set up a special study group in close connection with this clearing-agency in order to elaborate reliable data about the present situation of care for recently paralysed people, and to discuss further problems as well as planning programmes. They meet every 6 months. The organisation of the clearing-agency, the experiences gained within the first 23 months of activity since the opening, the spinal units situation at the present time, and their further development are reported.
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001509:Bed Occupancy; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005860:Germany, West; D006742:Hospital Bed Capacity; D006801:Humans; D007346:Insurance, Accident; D008297:Male; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*