Spinal cord injury patients benefit from early intervention

An innovative project led by the Oxford Centre for Enablement at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) is transforming care for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), improving outcomes and reducing hospital stays.

The Acute Spinal Cord Injury (ASCI) Inreach Team is being implemented and delivered through collaboration with the SE Regional Specialised Commissioning Team and delivers specialist SCI care directly to patients in the OUH Major Trauma Centre (MTC), addressing longstanding challenges faced by people with complex medical needs.

This initiative sets a new standard for inclusive, high-quality spinal cord injury care – ensuring every patient receives the right support, at the right time

Previously, SCI patients often faced extended hospital stays and limited specialist input due to restrictive referral pathways.

Now, thanks to the ASCI initiative, patients benefit from early intervention and co-ordinated, multidisciplinary care across the region.

A 15-month prospective study involving 134 patients found that the ASCI model significantly improved outcomes across all SCI patient groups. Key findings include:
•    A reduction in average hospital length of stay from 28 days to 22 days
•    A 5% increase in patients discharged directly home
•    Notable improvements in functional outcomes and patient confidence in self-care

The initiative also includes a dedicated SCI learning programme that provides support and access to education for healthcare professionals across the region, with over 200 attendees across nine sessions.

And feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with 88.9% of participants reporting a positive impact on their clinical practice, and 81.3% noting specific improvements in bowel and bladder management practices.

The multidisciplinary ASCI team includes a consultant in rehabilitation medicine, an advanced clinical practitioner, a specialist dietitian, and a clinical psychologist.

This project is a great example of how innovation can improve quality of care and patient experience while at the same time reducing healthcare costs and freeing up specialist resources to look after more patients

Dr Ahmad Saif, OUH consultant in rehabilitation medicine and lead for the ASCI team, said: “This initiative sets a new standard for inclusive, high-quality spinal cord injury care – ensuring every patient receives the right support, at the right time.

“It demonstrates the impact of early specialist involvement and collaborative workforce planning in improving outcomes and reducing time in hospital.”

Professor Andrew Brent, chief medical officer of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, added: “This project is a great example of how innovation can improve quality of care and patient experience while at the same time reducing healthcare costs and freeing up specialist resources to look after more patients.”