A spinal cord injury is a devastating event, both physically and psychologically. In addition to paralysis and loss of sensation below the level of injury, a spinal cord injury also impacts many different bodily functions, including circulation, metabolism, temperature regulation, nutritional health, skin, respiration, bowel and bladder elimination, and sexuality.
Among the First Spinal Cord Injury Centers in the Nation
The complexity of spinal cord injuries requires highly specialized skills of a healthcare team trained to manage this kind of injury. TIRR Memorial Hermann was one of the first facilities in the United States to establish a civilian spinal cord injury center.
TIRR Memorial Hermann focuses on patient needs and practices a unified, interdisciplinary approach to patient care. Our team is made up of specialized doctors, therapists, nurses, case managers and social workers dedicated to expert care of people with a spinal cord injury.
We consider our mission to be accomplished when persons with spinal cord injuries, within their individual capabilities and opportunities, achieve a quality of life with personal independence, productive functioning and maximum state of health.
TIRR Memorial Hermann is internationally recognized for its expertise in the management of tetraplegic spinal cord injury patients who require a ventilator for breathing, including patients who are able to wean from the ventilator.
Spinal Cord Injury Program
The Spinal Cord Injury Program services include:
- Patient rooms, nursing care units and gym space specifically designed and equipped for SCI patients
- Physical, occupational, speech, music and recreational therapy
- Individual and group therapy
- In-house urology consultations and urodynamics studies
- Spasticity management (including nerve blocks and Baclofen® pumps)
- Male fertility clinic
- Education classes for families and patients
Get Started
To learn more about spinal cord injury rehabilitation and how you can participate in the acclaimed Spinal Cord Injury Program at TIRR Memorial Hermann, call 713.797.5942.
2011 Spinal Cord Injury Patient Statistics
In 2011, 293 patients were discharged from the Spinal Cord Injury Program at TIRR Memorial Hermann.
- 29% had non-traumatic spinal cord injuries in which trauma was not the cause, like surgery-related spinal cord injuries or tumors
- 71% had traumatic spinal cord injuries which arose from trauma like falls and auto accidents
- 9 adolescent patients (ages 13 to 17) were discharged in 2011 and all were male
Key Patient Care Statistics
- The average length of stay was 28 days, compared to the national average of 26 days
- Patients received combined therapy equaling 3 or more hours per day, for 5 out of 7 days per week
- 74% of patients were discharged home to the community
- On a scale of 0 to 100, patients with spinal cord injury and their families rated their care 91 points out of 100
- 89% of patients and family members would recommend TIRR Memorial Hermann to others
Download the full report:
TIRR Memorial Hermann Spinal Cord Injury Patient Statistics
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