Improving the continuing care for individuals with spinal cord injuries.
The author of this article responded to a need to address a service deficit for individuals with spinal cord injury, by setting up a nurse-led outpatient clinic to review, assess, advise and help patients develop problem-solving strategies to enable them to maintain their level of independence in the community, prevent unnecessary admissions and minimize the development of more serious complications that arise as a consequence of ageing with a spinal cord injury. The clinic sessions provided an effective service which demonstrated its value by achieving the following outcomes: provided a practical problem-solving approach to changes in physical function; prevented unnecessary hospitalization; identified issues that required referral for additional specialist/services. Unfortunately, despite its short-term success, there were a number of issues (staffing and funding) which prevented the continuation and further development of the service. However, although not yet currently published, the key themes of the National Service Framework (NSF) for individuals with neurological conditions advocated the type of approach to patient care that has been reflected within this clinic (lifelong support from specialist practitioners and person-centred care). Hopefully the publication of such an influential document will support the development of future initiatives within the specialist field.
Williams
Sue
S
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Cardiff University, Health Park, Cardiff, Wales, UK.
D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000451:nursing*; D006113:United Kingdom