The Spinal Cord Injury Program at Baylor

Experiencing a spinal cord injury can be difficult both physically and mentally. The physical effects of the injury, depending upon the location on the spinal cord, can include paraplegia (paralysis of the legs) and quadriplegia (paralysis of the arms and legs). All body systems can be affected, even breathing, blood pressure and bowel and bladder functions. The emotional effects can also be devastating. Patients often fear becoming dependent and mourn lost opportunities.

Since 1981, Baylor has offered comprehensive rehabilitation services to help these patients return to an independent and productive lifestyle. We offer a full continuum of care that includes comprehensive inpatient services and outpatient specialty programs, clinics and follow-up services to help patients with spinal cord injuries maintain gains and a healthy lifestyle on a life-long basis.

Treatment Teams
We have developed treatment teams who specialize in spinal cord injuries. Physiatrists - physicians on the medical staff of Baylor who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation - have practices solely dedicated to the treatment of Baylor rehabilitation patients. Our 92-bed rehabilitation facility is part of the Baylor University Medical Center campus, which gives our patients access to more than 900 specialty physicians for medical consultation services and advanced technology and emergency services. These physicians work with a team of therapists and other specialists to help patients make gains in their recovery and return to their lives.

Advanced Technology
The Baylor Spinal Cord Injury Program also offers advanced technology and equipment to help patients reach their highest level of functioning including access to the INDEPENDENCE^® iBOT 4000 Mobility System, an advanced wheelchair that allows patients to maneuver across uneven terrain, climb curbs up to five inches and rises to an eye-level position to more easily hold a conversation, even while moving.

Experience

• You’ll have a dedicated spinal cord team led by board-certified physiatrists sub-specializing in spinal cord injury. Other team members may include nurses, licensed physical and occupational therapists, certified therapeutic recreation specialists, social workers, neuropsychologists, rehab psychologists and care coordinators – all specially trained to treat patients with spinal cord injuries.
• Continuing education is a priority to us in our thirst to continually increase our knowledge base about SCI treatment. Our specialists routinely attend national educational conferences and frequently publish and present new insights on their specialty.
• Last year alone, we treated nearly 100 spinal cord injuries, more than any other rehabilitation hospital in North Texas or the surrounding states.
• Our unit is dedicated exclusively to SCI patients, to provide a safe, warm and inviting environment as well as to address their special needs and to address complex medical issues.

Quality

• BIR was ranked 15th among the nation’s top rehabilitation facilities in the 2007 “America’s Best Hospitals” guide from U.S. News & World Report.
• U.S. News and World Report has named BIR 11 times as one of the top rehabilitation hospitals in the U.S.
• We were awarded a Quality of Life grant from the Christopher Reeves Foundation to help us support our Spinal Cord Injury Peer Mentor Program that trains individuals with spinal cord injury to act as mentors to newly injured patients.

Services and Programs

• Spinal Cord Injury specific programs, classes and support including
• START program, emphasizing anatomy and physiology, skin, bowel and bladder and radiologic studies;
• Spinal cord educational classes;
• Individualized counseling and education on sexuality and intimacy;
• Weekly team meetings for patients and family members;
• Weekly day and/or evening outings;
• Peer support by former patients who have similar levels of injury;
• Support Challenge and Inspire support groups; and
• End-of-the-Year Bash, offering a full day of activities such as boating, skiing, kayaking and fishing.
• Neuropsychology and Rehabiltation Psychology Services
• Full Care Coordination Services
• Aquatic Center
• Real Life Rehab™
• Driving Evaluation/Adaptive Driving
• Wheelchair Seating and Positioning Clinic

Research
One’s reaction, adaptation and resiliency to a traumatic event is the focus of BIR’s research program, a study conducted in collaboration with the University of North Texas and SCI patients. Researchers are searching why some people adapt more successfully after trauma than others and the role resilience plays in their outcome.

Researchers also want to understand what creates resiliency and how it could be increased in patients to improve outcomes. The results of the study could help psychologists assess a patient’s ability to tolerate stress and develop interventions to improve resilience and coping after injury. Resilience following traumatic injuries is a new area of research in the field and we are proud to be publishing the first article on this in the national peer reviewed journal, Rehabilitation Psychology.