Medical Services
Traumatic SCI is often associated with a
variety of concomitant injuries. Further, persons
sustaining SCI become immediately vulnerable
to a wide array of significant multisystem medical
complications such as pneumonia, deep vein
thrombosis (DVT), and pressure ulceration. It
has been reported that the frequency of medical
complications in SCI is inversely proportional
to the quality of care available at the treatment
facility.19 It is critical, therefore, that the physician
directing care for the newly injured person
possesses expertise in identifying associated
injuries. Further, the physician directing the
rehabilitation program must develop treatment
plans to prevent common medical complications,