Respiratory Management Following Spinal Cord Injury - 4

RESPIRATORY MANAGEMENT FOLLOWING SPINAL CORD INJURY

Advance Directives
33. Discuss advance directives, specifically the living will and durable power for medical health care, with the competent patient or the patient’s proxy to determine the validity of the documents post trauma.

individual with spinal cord injury should provide care or be available to assist the patient 24 hours a day. Efficient care of the patient depends on careful charting by home caregivers and proper management of the home medical supply inventory.

Durable Medical Equipment
41. Prescribe the appropriate durable medical equipment for home use based on the evaluations of therapy staff and the patient. Consider emergency provisions (e.g., backup generator and alarms) and assistive technology as part of a safe and effective environment.

Family Caregiving
34. As appropriate, assess and support family functioning.

Intimacy and Sexuality
35. Explore issues of intimacy and sexuality with the patient and other appropriate parties.

Transportation
42. Use a van equipped with a lift and tie downs or accessible public transportation to transport the person with ventilator-dependent spinal cord injury. The patient should be accompanied by an attendant trained in personal and respiratory care.

Establishment of an Effective Communication System
36. Assess the patient’s ability to communicate, and ensure that all staff can effectively interact with the patient to determine his or her needs and concerns.

Finances
43. Evaluate thoroughly the patient’s personal and financial resources and provide expert guidance in applying for benefits and coordinating assets to maximize all available resources.

Education Program Development
37. Plan, design, implement, and evaluate an educational program to help individuals with SCI and their families and caregivers gain the knowledge and skills that will enable the individual to maintain respiratory health, prevent pulmonary complications, return home, and resume life in the community as fully as possible.

Leisure
44. Explore and provide information on diversionary pursuits, leisure interests, local community resources, and adaptive recreational equipment.

Vocational Pursuits
45. Arrange a vocational evaluation to determine special aptitudes, interests, and physical abilities; factor in the need for transportation and attendant services.

Discharge Planning
38. Working with the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team, the patient, and his or her family, develop a discharge plan to assist the individual with ventilator-dependent spinal cord injury in transitioning from the health-care facility to a less restrictive environment, preferably a home setting.

Transition Resources
46. Identify medical and other transition resources in the home community, including: Local specialists.

Home Modifications
39. Evaluate and then modify the home environment to accommodate the demands of wheelchair access and respiratory equipment.

Respiratory services. Home supply and durable medical equipment vendors. Pharmacies. Home health-care services. Advocacy groups.

Caregivers
40. Home health-care workers, family members, privately hired assistants, and others trained in personal care and respiratory management of the

Respiratory Management Following Spinal Cord Injury

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Respiratory Management Following Spinal Cord Injury