Evaluation of Medical Care and Associated Costs Relative to Spinal Cord Injury

The following data have been collected from 8 Regional Spinal Injury Care Systems:

1. 1.
   Cost of emergency evacuation from the site of injury to all hospitals.
2. 2.
   Cost of all acute care in different hospitals.
3. 3.
   Cost of hospitalization and rehabilitation in the Spinal Units.
4. 4.
   The rate of useful recovery in different neurological groups.
5. 5.
   Type of clinical material presenting at all Spinal Units.

Early intensive and rigorous orthopedic and physical therapy reduces hospitalization length, hospitalization cost and the number of rehospitalizations. This improvement in patient care is reflected by an increased quality and length of survival.