Abstract: Nurse-directed Ergometry for Spinal Cord Injured Persons

Charleene R. Frazier, R.N., M.S.

MICC, a free standing, multidiscipline, outpatient clinic, offers an exciting program of Computerized Functional Electrical Stimulation (CFES) for spinal cord injured persons. The MICC CFES Program is founded on the belief that when multisystem deterioration that is associated with paralysis is avoided, and a behavioral approach is used, the SCI person will have a healthy sense of well-being and an enhanced ability to more effectively cope with the tremendous challenges of daily living. Our comprehensive rehabilitation program is coordinated by a Master's prepared nurse and uses a case management approach that enables our patients to not only enjoy the benefits of ergometric conditioning but to also become educated participants in their own health care and to recover as much autonomy and independence as possible. Further, we believe the SCI person needs an appropriate and legitimate interface with the health care community as today's patients are being discharged so early in their recovery process. We believe a community-based program, such as ours, does 'Team Up for the Future', i.e. the 21st Century, as it offers a creative, effective 'Patient-Program' Partnership for all who enroll.

Objectives

The participants will be able to:

1. State the essential elements of a CFES program
2. List benefits of participation in a CFES program
3. Identify the significance of a nurse-managed, long term, post-acute rehabilitation program for SCI persons

Content Outline

1. Presentation of MICC CFES clinical program design
2. Selecting/identifying appropriate client population
3. Establishing realistic goals and achieving patient compliance
4. Utilizing proactive reimbursement strategies.