The Queensland Spinal Cord Injuries Service (QSCIS) are streamlining spinal cord injury care information for clinicians with the launch of an all-in-one online educational hub.
The QSCIS website consolidates SCI care information in a digestible online format.
QSCIS Clinical Nurse Consultant and website content writer, Julie Bundz says the 18-month project started when the team identified a need for a comprehensive and user-friendly guide for clinicians outside of the SCI field.
“This is a how-to for clinicians who don’t usually work in spinal injury wards, so they can get an understanding of what it is and how to navigate care in this environment.”
Julie says the advantage of the website is in its simplified and consistent format, as it allows clinicians from all disciplines to quickly gather and share information regardless of their specialty.
“It's broad enough that anyone with a clinical background can come in and have a look and find what they're after and share everything with their team.”
“Nothing like this really exists,” added BaSCI Project Coordinator, Glenn Verner-Wren. “There are other SCI websites out there, but nothing like a one-stop-shop that has all the major elements of looking after people with spinal cord injuries.
“Everyone is really excited to have something that’s contemporary and fit-for-purpose, because we haven’t had that previously. Before this, clinicians had to sift through pages and pages of fact sheets to find relevant information,” said Glenn.
While the initial project may be complete, Glenn says there is more work to be done.
“This was only the first part of the library of information. It's going to start as a website, but our vision is to have a complete library of SCI management resources in place by 30 June 2024.”
Staff, patients, and executives gathered at the PAH SIU deck on 5 September to celebrate the launch, which coincided with World Spinal Cord Injury Day.
The project was developed by QSCIS in collaboration with the Clinical Skills Development Service (CSDS) at RBWH, and is funded by the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury (BaSCI) project. To find out more visit the QSCIS website.