The overarching goal of the Southern California Spinal Cord Injury Model System (SoCal-SCIMS) at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (RLANRC) is to generate and disseminate knowledge that will directly contribute to restoring health, rebuilding life, and revitalizing hope for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). RLANRC is designated as the Patient-Centered Medical Home for SCI in Los Angeles County; providing services to a large underserved and minority population. The objectives of the SoCal-SCIMS will be achieved through five integrated categories of effort: 1) Comprehensive Service Delivery; 2) Participation in the National SCI Database; 3) Site-Specific Research; 4) Collaborative Research Module(s); and 5) Dissemination and Knowledge Translation of SCIMS outputs and outcomes.
Our SCIMS partners treat the majority of the region’s trauma victims and include Emergency Medical Services, Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center and Harbor/UCLA Medical Center. We will capitalize on the team’s experience and the comprehensiveness of the ORCHID electronic health records for data acquisition and entry into the National SCI Database.
Our site-specific research will expand the populations served by, and conduct a randomized clinical trial to fully evaluate a program for community-based, non-pharmacologic pain management for those with chronic pain after SCI. This research study will also examine the added benefits of a novel method of relaxation, heart rate variability biofeedback training, in persons with SCI. Our collaborative research module will identify factors that influence bowel-related quality of life to inform clinical practice in this critical area.
Anticipated outcomes include: 1) Increased knowledge about incidence, causes, and outcomes of traumatic SCI; 2) Evidence-based interventions that facilitate active pain management behaviors in individuals with SCI; 3) Increase in practical, effective, and scientifically-informed knowledge and strategies for enhancing health, function, and well-being after SCI. Expected products are peer-reviewed publications, factsheets, presentations, training materials, and guidelines for promoting active pain management strategies and improving bowel-related quality of life after SCI.
