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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Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge the American Spinal Injury Association and the International Spinal Cord Society for their financial and organizational support, and Fin Biering-Sørensen, Stacy Elliot, Michael Kennelly, Klaus Krogh, and Mehnert Ulrich for their expertise and scientific contribution to the development of the ISAFSCI survey.
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Alexander, M., Wecht, J., Krassioukov, A. et al. Pulse article: Survey on the current usage of the International Standards for the Assessment of Autonomic Function after Spinal Cord Injury (ISAFSCI). Spinal Cord Ser Cases 3, 17100 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-017-0025-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-017-0025-8
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