PUBLISHED UK GUIDELINES:
The current recommended UK best practice guidelines for the management of patients with SCI are available within a number of publications, some of which can be viewed on-line or downloaded for future reference. Individual publications are usually available at a price that is reasonably affordable individual clinicians or clinical departments to purchase for themselves. These links will be updated as revised editions are made available.
Standards for Patients Requiring Spinal Cord Injury Care: A systematic review of NHS services supporting the initial and continuing care of SCI patients in the South West, South East, London and Eastern NHS Regions typical of the work currently being undertaken by the National SCI Strategy Board to develop the National SCI Care Pathway. These standards can be downloaded in pdf version from www.secscg.nhs.uk/home/consortia/spinal-injuries/
UK Ambulance Service Clinical Practice Guidelines (2006) - Guidelines for at-scene paramedical management of trauma and clinical emergencies including spinal injuries have been created by the Joint Royal Colleges Ambuance Liaison Committee (JRCALC) to inform UK paramedic training curriculae. These standards can be downloaded in pdf version fromwww.jrcalc.org.uk/guidelines.html
Good Practice Guidelines (2005) - An on-line guide from the British Association of SCI Specialists (BASCIS) regarding the meical and MDT management of SCI patients admitted to hospital outside of specialist centres: You can access this guide at: www.bascis.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
The Initial Care and Transfer of Patients with Spinal Cord Injuries (2006) - Published guidelines from the British Orthopaedic Association regarding the post-incident management SCI. Also available in pdf version. Go to: www.boa.ac.uk and type' Spinal Cord Injuries' into the search box in the Publications section
Managing Spinal Cord Injuries: The First 48 Hours (2007) - Second edition of only published clinical consensus regarding the initial management of SCI from the Spinal Injuries Association. Available to purchase via the On-Line Shop at www.spinal.co.uk.
Managing Spinal Cord Injury: Critical Care (2000) - First edition of only published clinical consensus on the acute inpatient management of SCI from the Spinal Injuries Association. Available to purchase via the On-Line Shop at www.spinal.co.uk. This book is almost out of print and some recommendations may have changed since publication. Current efforts in UK Critical Care Regional Networks are towards the adoption or adaptation of a national SCI Critical Care Pathway currently in circulation. A separate care pathway is in circulation for Neurosurgical Critical Care Units.
Managing Spinal Cord Injuries: Continuing Care (2006) - First edition of only published clinical consensus regarding the community management of SCI from the Spinal Injuries Association. Endorsed by the Royal College of GPs. Available to purchase via the On-Line Shop at www.spinal.co.uk.
Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: Management of Patients in Acute Hospital Settings (2008) - Published guidelines regarding the management of people with established diagnosis of SCI who are readmitted to a local from the Royal College of Physicians also available to purchase in pdf version also: Go to: www.rcplondon.ac.uk/Pages/index.aspx and go to the publications bookshop for order form.
US GUIDELINES:
The Consortium for Spinal Cord Medicine has created a range of guidelines for SCI management. They can be downloaded free in pdf format from the publications section of the Paralysed Veterans of America website - www.pva.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pubs_main.