Spinalls & Spinal Services

DESCRIPTION OF SPINALIS AND SERVICES PROVIDED

1. DIVISION NAME:
Spinalis Namibia

2. DESCRIPTION:
Spinalis Namibia SCI project is a tri-partner driven cooperation between Spinalis Foundation of Sweden, the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund, and Ministry of Health and Social Services in Namibia. Spinalis Namibia is the first specialized spinal cord rehabilitation unit to be opened in Nambia.

3. SPINALIS OBJECTIVES:
The Spinalis aims to: provide knowledge, experience and teach and inspire every patient to reach his/ her own highest possible level of independence for an active and meaningful life”. At the Spinalis unit all patients undergo intense rehabilitation in order to attain their highest level of functioning, and thereater return to their communities as productive members of society.

4. SPINALIS CLINICAL PATHWAY:

  • 24 HOURS AFTER TRAUMA: The patient is taken to nearest hospital to be stabilized
  • 1-2 weeks: Acute care is provided and early intervention (including surgical interventions), according to SCI guidelines
  • ± 12 WEEKS: Referral to the Spinalis Unit, and inpatient SCI rehabilitation (if patient is medically stable)
  • AFTER REHABIITATION: The patient is discharged, but the Spinalis Unit is committed to providing continued life-long support and long-term case management. Regular follow-ups are scheduled with specific interventions. (Readmissions may occur at this stage)

5. SPINALIS VISION AND MISSION

SPINALIS VISION
A better everyday life for the spinal cord injured.

SPINALIS MISSION
To teach and inspire every patient to reach his/ her highest possible level of independence for an active and meaningful life.

6. TYPES OF PATIENTS SEEN IN THE SPINALIS WARD

  • Inclusive criteria: Medically stable (all vitals are stable, spine has been stabilized)

Traumatic or non-traumatic, non-progressive spinal cord injuries and have   the physical capability to participate in active rehabilitation.

  • Exclusive criteria: Children under the age of 13

7. REHABILITATION TEAM

The Spinalis Unit is based on an multi-disciplinary approach to patient treatment.

The following professionals make up the Spinalis team:

  • Medical officer
  • Registered and enrolled nurses
  • Physiotherapist
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Social workers
  • Rehabilitation coach

However the following role-players are also very much considered part of the team:

  • Patient
  • Patient’s family/ significant others
  • Caregivers, if needed

The Spinalis ward also consults, as necessary, with the following other health professionals:

  • Neurosurgeon
  • Orthopaedic surgeon
  • Urologist
  • Plastic surgeon
  • Psychologist
  • Dietician
  • Other consultants

*The role of the rehabilitation coach

A rehabilitation coach, although already existing in other countries, is a newly created profession (in the rehabilitation team) within the health care/ rehabilitation framework in Namibia. This is an unique feature of the Spinalis service. As someone not specialized in health care, the concept of a rehabilitation coach is based on peer support and personal experience. This team-member acts as a role-model for the patients in terms of showing them what possibilities there are after their injury, and most importantly, after rehabilitation.

He assists the rehabilitation professionals in sessions to demonstrate the appropriate techniques and also runs his own groups, being the most experienced/ specialized person in some matters of SCI.

8. SPINALIS SERVICES OFFERED

The following rehabilitation services are provided at the Spinalis ward at Windhoek Central Hospital:

  • A full assessment by all the rehabilitation professionals
  • In patient rehabilitation, including:
    • Physiotherapy
    • Occupational Therapy
    • Training with the Rehabilitation Coach
    • Social worker contact
    • Bowel and bladder training
  •  Family meetings
  • Technical aid prescription
  • Sex and fertility advice and treatment
  • Home/ work assessments
  • Out patient follow-up
  • Re-admission for specific interventions, if needed