Therapists' perspectives on fall prevention in spinal cord injury rehabilitation: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: Therapists play a key role in delivering fall prevention/management education to individuals with spinal cord injury/disease, yet their perspectives on this topic remain understudied. Here, we described the perspectives of physical and occupational therapists who routinely provided rehabilitation to patients with spinal cord injury/disease on: (1) how fall risk was assessed, (2) what fall prevention education, interventions or strategies were provided, and (3) opportunities to improve fall risk assessment and the delivery of fall prevention education, strategies and interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one therapists completed an individual interview or focus group that was analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four main themes were identified: (1) policy and procedures impact practice (i.e., policy and procedures positively and negatively impact practice), (2) assessing and managing fall risk/falls in patients with spinal cord injury/disease (i.e., discipline-specific roles in fall risk assessments and fall management processes in rehabilitation), (3) fall prevention and management education (i.e., helicopter therapists and challenges with fall prevention and management education), (4) building insight into fall risk and management (e.g., building insight into fall risk for patients and therapists). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed opportunities to improve the delivery of fall prevention education and training to individuals with spinal cord injury/disease.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONFall prevention education should be initiated in spinal cord injury rehabilitation and then reinforced in community rehabilitation.Barriers and challenges faced by therapists when delivering fall prevention and management education/training in spinal cord injury rehabilitation include their perceptions of a patient's readiness to receive fall prevention education, short length of stay in rehabilitation, organization's expectations of zero falls and a lack of spinal cord injury-specific fall prevention resources.Therapists who work in spinal cord injury rehabilitation may benefit from information about fall risk factors encountered by individuals with spinal cord injury/disease in the community.

Improving practice through collaboration: Early experiences from the multi-site Spinal Cord Injury Implementation and Evaluation Quality Care Consortium.

CONTEXT: Dedicated implementation efforts are critical to bridging the gaps between current practices and best practices. A quality improvement collaborative (QIC), the Spinal Cord Injury Implementation and Evaluation Quality Care Consortium (SCI IEQCC), was established to meet this need, bringing together a network of clinicians and administrators to systematically improve the quality and equity of tertiary spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) rehabilitation care in Ontario, Canada. METHODS: Clinicians and leaders from five tertiary SCI/D rehabilitation centers and two not-for-profit SCI/D advocacy groups comprised a network dedicated to supporting implementation of the SCI-High quality indicators in prioritized domains of SCI rehabilitation and related best practices by: (1) building capacity through implementation science education of frontline clinicians; (2) providing resources and support to empower frontline clinicians to lead quality improvement efforts within their institutions; (3) promoting wider learning through a network for sharing ideas, efforts, and experiences; and (4) collecting indicator data to facilitate provincial evaluation of goal attainment. RESULTS: Network members and sites collaborated to implement best practices within six priority domains; in 18 months, significant progress has been made in emotional wellbeing, sexual health, walking, and wheeled mobility despite disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These efforts encompass heterogeneous challenges and strategies, ranging from developing clinical skills programs, to streamlining processes, to manipulating physical space. CONCLUSION: A QIC targeting SCI/D rehabilitation demonstrates promise for advancing the implementation of best practices, building implementation science capacity across multiple sites, and for promoting collaboration amongst SCI/D rehabilitation centers and organizational partners.

Comparing the causes, circumstances and consequences of falls across mobility statuses among individuals with spinal cord injury: A secondary analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the occurrence of falls and fall-related injuries, and the circumstances of falls among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who ambulate full-time, use a wheelchair full-time and ambulate part-time. DESIGN: A secondary analysis. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with SCI. INTERVENTION: None. OUTCOME MEASURES: The occurrence and circumstances of falls and fall-related injuries were tracked over six-months using a survey. Participants were grouped by mobility and fall status. A chi-square test compared the occurrence of falls and fall-related injuries, and the time and location of falls, and a negative binomial regression was used to predict the likelihood of falls by mobility status. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to determine differences in the time to first fall based on mobility status. Group characteristics and causes of falls were described. RESULTS: Data from individuals who ambulated full-time (n = 30), used a wheelchair full-time (n = 27) and ambulated part-time (n = 8) were analyzed. Mobility status was a significant predictor of falls (P < 0.01); individuals who used a wheelchair full-time had a third of the likelihood of falling than those who ambulated full-time (P < 0.01). Type of fall-related injuries differed by mobility status. Those who ambulated full-time fell more in the daytime (P < 0.01). Individuals who ambulated full-time and part-time commonly fell while walking due to poor balance, and their legs giving out, respectively. Those who used a wheelchair full-time typically fell while transferring when rushed. CONCLUSION: Mobility status influences the likelihood and circumstances of falls. Mobility status should be considered when planning fall prevention education/training for individuals with SCI.

Development of the spinal cord injury pressure sore onset risk screening (SCI-PreSORS) instrument: a pressure injury risk decision tree for spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

STUDY DESIGN: Psychometric study based on retrospectively collected data. OBJECTIVE: Development of a pressure injury (PI) risk screening instrument for use during spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation. SETTING: Tertiary rehabilitation center. METHODS: Medical charts of 807 inpatients participating in SCI rehabilitation were reviewed. Two models (recursive partitioning and logistic regression) were developed with demographic and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) variables and compared with the SCI Pressure Ulcer Scale (SCIPUS, n = 603) and Braden scale (n = 100) using modeling (n = 615) and validation (n = 192) datasets. Sensitivity and specificity analyses were completed for each model. Models yielding high sensitivity and area under the curve (AUC), while minimizing false negatives (FN < 0.5%) were preferred. RESULTS: In the modeling dataset, a single dichotomized FIM variable, Bed/Chair Transfers <4, was predictive of PI incidence (sensitivity = 97%, AUC = 74%, FN = 0.49%) and had similar metrics as the logistic regression model (sensitivity = 97%, AUC = 76%, FN = 0.49%). The recursive partitioning model had fewer FN (sensitivity = 98%, AUC = 75%, FN = 0.33%). When applied to the validation dataset, both models performed similarly. The SCIPUS performed poorly (AUC < 70%). When analyses were limited to cases with available Braden data and no admission PI, recursive partitioning outperformed the other methods for PI risk screening. CONCLUSION: A recursive partitioning model, named the SCI-PreSORS (SCI Pressure Sore Onset Risk Screening), demonstrated promise for PI risk screening during inpatient SCI rehabilitation. Prospective validation of the new model is warranted.

Current state of fall prevention and management policies and procedures in Canadian spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Preventing patient falls is a priority in tertiary spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation. Falls can result in patient or staff injury, delayed rehabilitation, and hospital liability. A comprehensive overview of fall prevention/management policies and procedures in Canadian SCI rehabilitation is currently lacking. We describe and compare the fall prevention/management policies and procedures implemented in Canadian tertiary hospitals that provide SCI rehabilitation. METHODS: Fall prevention/management documents implemented in SCI rehabilitation at six Canadian tertiary rehabilitation hospitals across five provinces were analyzed using a document analysis. Analysis involved multiple readings of the documents followed by a content and thematic document analysis. RESULTS: Fall prevention/management policies and procedures in SCI rehabilitation were organized into three main categories: 1) pre-fall policies and procedures; 2) post-fall policies and procedures; and, 3) communication between and amongst staff, patients, and families. Pre-fall policies and procedures encompassed: a) the definition of a fall; b) fall risk assessments in SCI rehabilitation; and, c) fall prevention strategies. The post-fall policies and procedures included: a) recovery from a fall; b) incident reporting process; and, c) fall classification. Components of fall prevention/management policies and practices that differed between hospitals included the fall risk assessments, post-fall huddles, and fall classifications. CONCLUSIONS: Fall prevention/management is a required organizational practice for all hospitals. Although Canadian tertiary hospitals that provide SCI rehabilitation have similar components of fall prevention/management policies and procedures, the specific requirements differ at each site. There is a need for evidence-informed, consensus-driven implementation of SCI-specific fall prevention and management procedures across Canadian SCI rehabilitation settings.

The Spinal Cord Injury Pressure Ulcer Scale (SCIPUS): an assessment of validity using Rasch analysis.

STUDY DESIGN: Secondary analysis of retrospective data. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to further validate the Spinal Cord Injury Pressure Ulcer Scale (SCIPUS) using Rasch analysis. SETTING: Two rehabilitation centers in Canada. METHOD: Data were collected as part of the Spinal Cord Injury Knowledge Mobilization Network (SCI KMN) initiative. The SCIPUS was completed within 72 h of inpatient admission. Persons admitted for initial rehabilitation in two inpatient spinal cord rehabilitation programs were included in the project. RESULTS: Data from 886 participants were analyzed, approximately 60% of whom were males. Rasch analyses demonstrated that the SCIPUS, in its current format did not meet criteria required for true measurement. A transformed version of the SCIPUS obtained by deletion of misfitting items and modification of the response scales improved fit to the model and showed preliminary evidence of unidimensionality. The person separation index, however indicated that the scale requires further adjustments of its scoring options. CONCLUSIONS: In its original form, the SCIPUS does not meet the requirements of the Rasch model and its total score should be used cautiously. However, following some adjustments to the items such as addressing DIF between sites to insure a standardized assessment across sites and adding response options to some of the items, interval-scale measurement should be possible.

Determining Pressure Injury Risk on Admission to Inpatient Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation: A Comparison of the FIM, Spinal Cord Injury Pressure Ulcer Scale, and Braden Scale.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the utility of the admission Spinal Cord Injury Pressure Ulcer Scale (SCIPUS), Braden Scale, and the FIM for identifying individuals at risk for developing pressure injury during inpatient spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Two tertiary rehabilitation centers. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals (N=754) participating in inpatient SCI rehabilitation. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the utility of the SCIPUS, Braden Scale, and FIM for identifying individuals at risk for developing pressure injury (PI) during inpatient SCI rehabilitation. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, false negative rate, odds ratio, likelihood ratio, and area under the curve (AUC) are reported. RESULTS: The SCIPUS total score and its individual items did not demonstrate acceptable accuracy (AUC≥0.7) whereas the Braden Scale (0.73) and the FIM score (0.74) did. Once items were dichotomized into high and low risk categories, 1 Braden item (friction and shear), 5 FIM items (bathing, toileting, bed/chair transfer, tub/shower transfer, toilet transfer), the FIM transfers subscale, FIM Motor subscale, and the FIM instrument as a whole, maintained AUCs ≥0.7 and negative predictive values ≥0.95. The FIM bed/chair transfer score demonstrated the highest likelihood ratio (2.62) and overall was the most promising measure for determining PI risk. CONCLUSION: Study findings suggest that a simple measure of mobility, admission FIM bed/chair transfer score of 1 (total assist), can identify at-risk individuals with greater accuracy than both an SCI specific instrument (SCIPUS) and a PI specific instrument (Braden). The FIM bed/chair transfer score can be readily determined at rehabilitation admission with minimal administrative and clinical burden.

Implementation of Pressure Injury Prevention Best Practices Across 6 Canadian Rehabilitation Sites: Results From the Spinal Cord Injury Knowledge Mobilization Network.

OBJECTIVE: To use the theoretical frameworks of implementation science to implement pressure injury (PI) prevention best practices in spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation. DESIGN: Quality improvement. SETTING: Six Canadian SCI rehabilitation centers. PARTICIPANTS: Inpatients (N=2371) admitted from 2011 to 2015. INTERVENTIONS: The SCI Knowledge Mobilization Network (SCI KMN) selected and implemented 2 PI prevention best practices at 6 Canadian SCI rehabilitation centers: (1) completing a comprehensive PI risk assessment comprised of a structured risk assessment instrument followed by an individualized, interprofessional risk factor determination and prevention plan; and (2) providing structured and individualized PI prevention patient education. Active Implementation Frameworks provided a systematic approach to best practice implementation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Implementation indicators (completion rates) and patient outcomes (PI incidence, patient education survey). RESULTS: After implementation, risk assessment completion rates improved from 46% to 94% (P<.05). Between initial (2012-2013) and full (2014-2015) implementation stages, completion rates improved for both interprofessional risk factor determination (67% to 96%) and prevention plans (67% to 94%). Documentation of patient education also increased to 86% (vs. 71% preimplementation). At rehabilitation admission 22% of patients had PIs, with 14% of individuals developing new PIs during rehabilitation. The overall PI prevalence was 30%. Considering only PIs of stage 2 or greater, prevalence was 21% and incidence 7%. There were no statistically significant differences in PI incidence between pre- and postimplementation. Patient education surveys indicated that PI education improved patients' knowledge of prevention strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Active Implementation Frameworks supported successful implementation of PI prevention best practices across the 6 participating SCI KMN sites. Achieving a reduction in PI incidence will require additional measures, and there is an ongoing need to strengthen the evidence base underpinning PI prevention guidelines.

Life after personalized adaptive locomotor training: a qualitative follow-up study.

STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative follow-up study. OBJECTIVES: Intensive locomotor training can improve physical and psychological functioning for individuals with spinal cord injury. Few studies have examined long-term effects of locomotor training. Specifically, there is a lack of qualitative follow-up that provide insight into participants' perceptions of the effects of locomotor training on level of function and daily life. This study aimed to gain insight into participants' perceptions of intensive locomotor training and whether participation influenced the level of function and community living 1-2 years after training. SETTING: Tertiary rehabilitation facility in Ontario, Canada. METHODS: Participants were six individuals who had lived with spinal cord injury between 1.9 and 2.7 years at the time of the interviews and had completed locomotor training during the subacute phase of injury. Semi-structured interviews explored participants' daily experiences and level of function after locomotor training. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes were identified. (1) Outcomes: Personalized Adapted Locomotor Training led to transferable gains from the program to daily functioning and eased transitions out of the rehabilitation hospital. (2) Continuing the rehabilitation journey: following disappointment after training ended, recovery was perceived incomplete regardless of current functional status. Endeavors were now directed to maintaining gains achieved during the program. (3) Challenges: since discharge from Personalized Adapted Locomotor Training, participants identified changes in their psychological well-being and the risk of falls as challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Personalized Adapted Locomotor Training was a positive experience. The identified challenges present future opportunities for the improved delivery of intensive locomotor training programs.

Perspectives of individuals with sub-acute spinal cord injury after personalized adapted locomotor training.

PURPOSE: Locomotor training after incomplete spinal cord injury can improve walking function, and cardiovascular and muscle health. Participants' perspectives about locomotor training, however, have not been extensively studied. This study describes the experiences of individuals with sub-acute incomplete spinal cord injury who completed personalized adapted locomotor training; a locomotor-focused rehabilitation tailored to individual goals. Specifically, we examined how participation in this training impacted their lives and what challenges they encountered. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following inpatient rehabilitation, seven participants completed 74-197 h of personalized adapted locomotor training. Using conventional content analysis, themes were identified from post-training interviews. Trustworthiness was enhanced through analysis trials, verbatim quotes, and triangulation. RESULTS: Three themes emerged: motives for participating, perceived benefits, and perceived challenges. Beliefs that higher intensity leads to quicker recovery of prior function motivated participation. Physical and psychological health improvements, favorable training structure, and empowerment to self-manage their rehabilitation were perceived benefits. Neglect of other commitments, acquiring extra services to participate (e.g. accessible transportation), limited transferability to daily walking, and a rigid training structure were perceived challenges. Program recommendations were formed from the perceived challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Personalized adapted locomotor training was positively regarded by participants. Addressing the perceived challenges may improve the training experience. Implications for Rehabilitation Personalized adapted locomotor training (PALT) is a high-intensity locomotor therapy tailored to an individual's goals. The experiences of individuals with iSCI highlight the impact of PALT on physical and psychological well-being. PALT has the potential to improve physical functioning and facilitate transitions from inpatient rehabilitation to community living. Findings suggest the need for adaptation of PALT to suit the unique needs of each individual.

Psychometric Properties of the Spinal Cord Injury Pressure Ulcer Scale (SCIPUS) for Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment During Inpatient Rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the psychometric properties of the Spinal Cord Injury Pressure Ulcer Scale (SCIPUS) for pressure ulcer (PU) risk assessment during inpatient rehabilitation. DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SETTING: Tertiary rehabilitation centers. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals (N=759) participating in inpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation between January 3, 2012, and April 23, 2014. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Admission SCIPUS scores and the corresponding risk stratification, PU incidence, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for interrater reliability, sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios (LRs). Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to calculate the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: Mean SCIPUS scores were higher for individuals who developed PUs than for those who did not (mean SCIPUS score, 9.8±2.5 vs 8.5±2.6). Interrater reliability was excellent for SCIPUS composite scores (ICC=.91) and very good for risk stratification (ICC=.86). Using the existing cutoff value of ≥6 for "high risk" category, sensitivity and specificity were estimated to be .97 and .12, respectively, with an LR of 1.1. A cutoff value of ≥8 yielded a better balance between sensitivity and specificity (.85 and .38, respectively). The AUC equaled .64 with an LR of 1.4. Results were similar when the analysis was confined to PUs of stage II or greater. CONCLUSIONS: The psychometric properties of the SCIPUS do not currently support its routine use as a measure of PU risk in individuals with spinal cord injury undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. LRs of <2 indicate that stratification as high risk or very high risk does not substantially increase the likelihood of identifying individuals who develop PUs beyond chance alone. AUCs were also below the desired cutoff value of 0.7.

Trunk strength and function using the multidirectional reach distance in individuals with non-traumatic spinal cord injury.

CONTEXT: Trunk control is essential to engage in activities of daily living. Measuring trunk strength and function in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) is difficult. Trunk function has not been studied in non-traumatic SCI (NTSCI). OBJECTIVES: To characterize changes in trunk strength and seated functional reach in individuals with NTSCI during inpatient rehabilitation. To determine if trunk strength and seated reach differ between walkers and wheelchair users. To explore relationships between trunk and hip strength and seated functional reach. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Two SCI rehabilitation facilities. PARTICIPANTS: 32 subacute inpatients (mean age 48.0 ± 15.4 years). OUTCOME MEASURES: Isometric strength of trunk and hip and function (Multidirectional Reach Test: MDRT) were assessed at admission and within 2 weeks of discharge. Analysis of variance was conducted for admission measures (MDRT, hip and trunk strength) between walkers and wheelchair users. Changes in MDRT, hip and trunk strength were evaluated using parametric and non-parametric statistics. The level of association between changes in values of MRDT and strength was also examined. RESULTS: Significant differences between walkers and wheelchair users were found for strength measures (P < 0.05) but not for MDRT. Left- and right-sided reaches increased in wheelchair users only (P < 0.05). Associations between changes in hip strength, trunk strength, and reach distance were found (R = 0.67-0.73). CONCLUSION: In clinical settings, it is feasible and relevant to assess trunk, hip strength, and MRDT. Future studies require strategies to increase the number of participants assessed, in order to inform clinicians about relevant rehabilitation interventions.

The application of implementation science for pressure ulcer prevention best practices in an inpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation program.

OBJECTIVES: To implement pressure ulcer (PU) prevention best practices in spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation using implementation science frameworks. DESIGN: Quality improvement. SETTING: SCI Rehabilitation Center. PARTICIPANTS: Inpatients admitted January 2012 to July 2013. INTERVENTIONS: Implementation of two PU best practices were targeted: (1) completing a comprehensive PU risk assessment and individualized interprofessional PU prevention plan (PUPP); and (2) providing patient education for PU prevention; as part of the pan-Canadian SCI Knowledge Mobilization Network. At our center, the SCI Pressure Ulcer Scale replaced the Braden risk assessment scale and an interprofessional PUPP form was implemented. Comprehensive educational programing existed, so efforts focused on improving documentation. Implementation science frameworks provided structure for a systematic approach to best practice implementation (BPI): (1) site implementation team, (2) implementation drivers, (3) stages of implementation, and (4) improvement cycles. Strategies were developed to address key implementation drivers (staff competency, organizational supports, and leadership) through the four stages of implementation: exploration, installation, initial implementation, and full implementation. Improvement cycles were used to address BPI challenges. OUTCOME MEASURES: Implementation processes (e.g. staff training) and BPI outcomes (completion rates). RESULTS: Following BPI, risk assessment completion rates improved from 29 to 82%. The PUPP completion rate was 89%. PU education was documented for 45% of patients (vs. 21% pre-implementation). CONCLUSION: Implementation science provided a framework and effective tools for successful pressure ulcer BPI in SCI rehabilitation. Ongoing improvement cycles will target timeliness of tool completion and documentation of patient education.

Walking-related outcomes for individuals with traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injury inform physical therapy practice.

OBJECTIVES: To describe and compare patient demographics, inpatient lengths of stay (LOS), and walking-related functional outcomes of individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) of traumatic (TSCI) and non-traumatic (NTSCI) etiologies. To contrast these features between individuals who walked from those who did not walk at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. DESIGN: Prospective observational study; comparisons between TSCI and NTSCI, walkers and non-walkers. Information collected as a pilot project within a provincial SCI informatics strategy. SETTING: Rehabilitation hospital specialized for SCIs. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with NTSCI (n = 31) or TSCI (n = 59) admitted to inpatient rehabilitation, 2007-2009. OUTCOME MEASURES: Lower-extremity motor scores (LEMS), spinal cord independence measure version III (SCIM-III) total and mobility subscores, functional independence measure (FIM), Length of Stay (LOS) at inpatient facilities. RESULTS: Groups (NTSCI vs. TSCI) did not differ in the proportion of individuals that achieved "walker" status (SCIM-III mobility indoors (MI) score ≥ 3 at rehab discharge) (P = 0.41, 48.9% overall). Inpatient LOS at both acute care and rehabilitation facilities did not differ between groups; however, TSCI non-walkers had longer inpatient rehabilitation LOS than TSCI walkers. Among walkers, improvement was shown on all three mobility subscores of the SCIM-III between admission and discharge from rehabilitation; highest significance was shown on the SCIM-III MI. Walking status at discharge (SCIM-III MI) was most strongly correlated with LEMS at rehab admission (r = 0.71, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Walking outcomes are comparable among individuals with NTSCI vs. TSCI admitted for specialized SCI rehabilitation. Routine use of SCIM-III mobility items for assessment of walking outcome is recommended for inpatient rehabilitation.