QSCIS Eligibility

The decision on an individual’s inclusion to any of the QSCIS services is based on established criteria for the service.

Criteria for each QSCIS component are designed to ensure equitable, timely and safe access to specialist SCI services for people in Queensland and Northern NSW. Referrals to QSCIS can be for both people with new SCI or pre-existing SCI.

QCSIS encourages clinicians to contact for advice if there is any doubt about the above inclusion criteria, management, or clinical safety. The QSCIS referral for a person with a new spinal cord injury: Information for clinicians document provides information on referral processes.

To be eligible for QSCIS a person must:

  • have an impairment resulting from a traumatic or non-traumatic SCI
  • reside in Queensland or Northern NSW
  • be 16 years or older

There are specific criteria and or considerations for each QSCIS service outlined below:

QuickStart

  • person has impairment resulting from a new traumatic or non-traumatic SCI
  • person is admitted to an acute or rehabilitation setting other than SIU

Admission to SIU for acute management and primary rehabilitation

  • person has impairment resulting from a new traumatic or non-traumatic SCI. Non-traumatic SCIs are usually of non- or slowly progressive aetiology.
  • are assessed as able to participate in a rehabilitation program.
  • the final decision to admit rests with the Spinal Injuries Unit Consultant Medical Director.

Readmission to SIU

  • person has a pre-existing SCI and requires specialist care for secondary complications from a SCI, including, but not limited to:
    • permanently ventilator dependent and cannot be managed in other facilities or in the community;
    • admitted under the Skin Management and Rehabilitation Team (SMART) requiring surgical intervention for pressure injury repair;
    • uncontrolled autonomic dysreflexia;
    • issues related to an implanted intrathecal baclofen pump;
    • condition cannot be appropriately managed anywhere except the SIU.
  • medical and surgical problems (not listed above) are managed by respective specialties except in circumstances where admission to SIU is approved by the Medical Director, SIU.

Ambulatory services

  • SIU Outpatient Clinic:
    • person received care in the SIU.
    • person is referred by a medical practitioner and assessed as meeting the general inclusion criteria for QSCIS eligibility.
  • Spinal Outreach Team (SPOT):
    • person is assessed as meeting the general inclusion criteria for QSCIS eligibility.
    • person received care in the SIU (either as inpatient or outpatient).

Transitional Rehabilitation Program

  • TRP is available to people with newly acquired SCI who are discharging to the community following rehabilitation in the SIU.
  • TRP may also be offered to people who have completed their rehabilitation in other hospitals, depending on service capacity.

Referral Forms

International standards for neurological classification of spinal cord injury (ISNCSCI) worksheet – This is commonly referred to as the ASIA examination

This should accompany all new referrals to QSCIS

QSCIS new patient referral form

Use this form to refer people who have a new SCI to QSCIS

SIU non-acute outpatient referral form

Use this form for referrals to SIU OPD consultant or specialist clinics

SIU SMART referral form

Use this form for referrals to the Skin Management and Rehabilitation Team for the management of pressure injuries

Transitional Rehabilitation Program referral form

Use this form to refer people to the Transitional Rehabilitation Program who completed rehabilitation outside of the SIU

Referral resources

Discussing prognosis in spinal cord injury (SCI) – information for clinicians

Information for clinicians when discussing prognosis with individuals who have a newly acquired spinal cord injury (SCI) and their families.

QSCIS referral for a person with a new spinal cord injury

Information for clinicians sending a referral to QSCIS

Considerations for referral to QSCIS Transitional Rehabilitation Program

Information for clinicians referring to the Transitional Rehabilitation Program for people who completed rehabilitation outside of the SIU