British Columbia

POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS
The Government of British Columbia and our partners have played a leading role in supporting spinal cord injury (SCI) research and community services in the province by providing critical investments and services. This support has distinguished BC as a leader in medical research treatment and care for people living with SCI.
THE NUMBERS
Median length days of hospital stay and rehabilitation for individuals with SCI. Required care is highly specialized and hugely complex.

140

$450

Estimated annual million amount that spinal cord injuries cost the Government of British Columbia in health care and support costs. As the population ages and more spinal cord injuries occur from falls, these costs will increase dramatically.

6,071

Estimated number residents of British Columbia residents living with traumatic spinal cord injuries, with more than 188 new injuries occurring every year.

RICK HANSEN INSTITUTE | web www.rickhanseninstitute.org | telephone 1.604.707.2100 | email info@rickhanseninstitute.org

British Columbia

TANGIBLE PROGRESS
The Rick Hansen Institute connects scientists, researchers, surgeons and health care practitioners to acquire and translate research findings into practical solutions.

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Canadian facilities and three global sites engaged in knowledge transfer. A nation-wide clinical research and data collection infrastructure, led by RHI, has been implemented in every major Canadian medical facility treating traumatic SCI. Two sites are in operation in British Columbia at Vancouver General Hospital and GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre. To date, more than 800 British Columbians with SCI have registered.

CAMPER (CSF/Biomarker study) Originated in Vancouver by DR. BRIAN KWON, the Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure Monitoring and Biomarker Validation study has expanded to a five-site multi-centre trial. The project aims to minimize secondary damage to the spinal cord, reducing paralysis as well as the length of hospital stays, need for home care support and hospital readmissions, resulting in reduced health care costs. Access to Care and Timing project Also originated in Vancouver, in collaboration with the CENTRE FOR OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE at the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia, this project involves the development of a simulation model to describe the processes of care from time of injury until discharge into the community. The project currently involves 27 acute and rehabilitation SCI centres across Canada. The simulation models will help to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of SCI care in BC and throughout the country. Rehabilitation Environmental Scan project GF STRONG REHABILITATION CENTRE is participating in the creation of an atlas of pan-Canadian SCI rehabilitation service delivery to provide a baseline of current care delivery in Canadian rehabilitation centres. Autonomic Dysreflexia and abnormal cardiovascular control following SCI guidelines have been developed, by UBCs DR. ANDREI KRASSIOUKOV, to teach physicians, nurses and paramedics about this little-known, dangerous secondary complication of uncontrolled blood pressure. This initiative will facilitate the adoption of best practices to reduce incidences of full blown autonomic dysreflexia and decrease emergency room and hospital admissions. Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Evidence (SCIRE) an unprecedented, free, online resource of evidence-based rehabilitation recommendations and best practices for clinicians and people living with spinal cord injury, led by DR. JANICE ENG of UBC. SCIRE informs public policy and medical practice decision making, and guides the research community and funding organizations to strategically focus time and resources on knowledge gaps and research priorities. New national standards for SCI care have been developed in partnership with ACCREDITATION CANADA an international first to ensure that individuals across Canada receive the best care and health outcomes possible, following a spinal cord injury.

Learn more. www.rickhanseninstitute.org

RICK HANSEN INSTITUTE | web www.rickhanseninstitute.org | telephone 1.604.707.2100 | email info@rickhanseninstitute.org