emDocs - August 24, 2020 - By Lynn R and Scott K
Review by Lentz S, Koyfman A and Long B
"Take Home Points
- As an emergency medicine physician, it is imperative to be able to anticipate, understand, recognize and treat common conditions that bring patients with SCI to the emergency department.
- Patients with chronic SCI often present atypically due to alterations in normal physiology.
- For all patients with SCI, complete a thorough physical exam, including disrobing and rolling the patient for a complete examination of the skin.
- The most common sources of infection among patients with chronic SCI are UTIs and skin/soft tissue infections; review historical data when possible to inform treatment decisions and antimicrobial selection.
- Chronic pain and psychiatric co-morbidities are common among patients with SCI. Perform screening for these issues as part of your overall assessment of the patient with chronic SCI."