Managing chronic spinal cord injury: issues in critical care

Pressure ulcers and spinal-cord injury: incidence among admissions to the Irish national specialist unit

Unlike many other countries, Ireland does not have a pathway to facilitate rapid transfer to its national spinal injuries unit. This retrospective study investigated the effect of this on the incidence of pressure ulceration in new admissions to the unit.

Nursing models and self-concept in patients with spinal cord injury—a comparison between UK and Taiwan

The purpose of this study is to investigate rehabilitation nurses' care for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). It also examines how rehabilitation nurses perceive their role in assessing the alteration of self-concept and the interventions they use in helping patients to develop a more positive perception of themselves. A critical review of common models in use was undertaken including Roper, Logan and Tierney's Activities of Living Model, Roy's Adaptation Model and Orem's Self-care Deficit Nursing Theory. A nursing framework has been developed for rehabilitation nursing. Data were collected by questionnaire. The findings indicate that rehabilitation nurses are aware of the alteration in self-concept for patients with SCI. Although nursing interventions include physiological, psychological and social aspects of care, nurses do not feel that current nursing models are useful in SCI nursing and tend to support the specially designed model.

Acute care management of spinal cord injuries

Meeting the health care needs of the spinal cord-injured patient is an immense challenge for the acute care multidisciplinary team. The critical care nurse clinician, as well as other members of the team, needs to maintain a comprehensive knowledge base to provide the care management that is essential to the care of the spinal cord-injured patient. With the active participation of the patient and family in care delivery decisions, the health care professionals can help to meet the psychosocial and physical needs of the patient/family unit. This article provides an evidence-based, comprehensive review of the needs of the spinal cord-injured patient in the acute care setting including optimal patient outcomes, methods to prevent complications, and a plan that provides an expeditious transition to rehabilitation.

Breastfeeding in the woman with a compromised nervous system

An increasing number of women with physical limitations are choosing to conceive and are entering the health care system for the care of their pregnancies. These women are faced with the choice of how to feed the child. Although research specific to lactation and nervous system disorders could not be found, this paper reviews selected articles from the literature on three central nervous system disorders: spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. Potential effects on breastfeeding are discussed.