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. 2017 Dec 20:3:17100.
doi: 10.1038/s41394-017-0025-8. eCollection 2017.

Pulse article: Survey on the current usage of the International Standards for the Assessment of Autonomic Function after Spinal Cord Injury (ISAFSCI)

Marcalee Alexander  1   2   3 , Jill Wecht  4   5 , Andrei Krassioukov  6   7 ; International Autonomic Standards Committee
Affiliations

Pulse article: Survey on the current usage of the International Standards for the Assessment of Autonomic Function after Spinal Cord Injury (ISAFSCI)

Marcalee Alexander et al. Spinal Cord Ser Cases. .

Abstract

Study design: Online questionnaire.

Objectives: To identify the awareness, and current use, of the International Standards for the Assessment of Autonomic Function after SCI (ISAFSCI) and suggest necessary revisions.

Setting: An international collaboration of committee members.

Methods: A survey was drafted and consensus achieved among members of the International Standards Committee of the ASIA. The questionnaire was posted on SurveyMonkey for 2 months. A survey link was posted on the ASIA and ISCoS websites, and committee members circulated the survey to colleagues with the goal of obtaining a wide-spread international response.

Results: A total of 173 providers responded. About half (n = 84) of the respondents used the standards in some form. Forty-four percent (n = 72) felt they knew the difference between the standards and the data sets. Among 135 responses on the usefulness of the ISAFSCI, the bladder, bowel, and sexual function sections, and the heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and sudomotor sections for use in patients with tetraplegia were reported as most useful. Comments revealed that respondents would like more explanation regarding specific definitions of components of the standards, how/when to use the ISAFSCI, and how the ISAFSCI may assist in clinical care.

Conclusion: The ISAFSCI is used by a subset of SCI clinicians. Some find the standards useful, while others are unaware of the utility of the ISAFSCI to prevent morbidity and assist in documentation of autonomic recovery post SCI. Further clarification regarding the definition of various disorders, and how and why to use the ISAFSCI in the SCI population, is needed.

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Conflict of interest statement

Compliance with ethical standardsThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

References

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    1. American Spinal Injury Association. ASIA Learning Center. 2017. http://www.asiaspinalinjury.org/elearning/elearning.php. Accessed on 6 July 2017.

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