Article

Objectives :To describe and compare perceived barriers with
patient flow in spinal rehabilitation units (SRUs).Setting:International. Ten
SRUs (Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Pakistan,
Switzerland, UK and USA) that admit both traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord
injury patients.Methods:Survey completed between December 2010 and February 2013
on perception of barriers for admission into and discharge from SRUs. Opinion was
sought from the participants regarding the utility of collecting data on the
timeliness of access to SRUs and occurrence of discharge barriers for
benchmarking and quality improvement purposes.Results:The perceived barriers in
accessing SRUs ranged from no access problem to a severe access problem (no
access problems n=3; minor access problems n=3; moderate access problems n=2;
severe access problem n=1 and extreme n=1). Most units (n=9/10) agreed that
collecting data on timeliness of access to SRUs for acute hospital patients may
help improve patient outcomes and health system processes by providing
information for benchmarking and quality improvement purposes. All units reported
perceived barriers to discharge from SRUs. Compared with admission barriers, a
greater perception of barriers to discharge was reported (minor problem n=3;
moderate problem n=3; severe problem n=3; and extreme n=1). All units agreed that
collecting data on barriers to discharge from SRU may help improve patient
outcomes and system processes.Conclusions:Perceived barriers to patient flow in
SRUs are reported in many countries. Projects to identify and minimise the
occurrence and impact of admission and discharge barriers could increase access
to rehabilitation and improve the rehabilitation outcomes for patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS