Department of veterans affairs quality enhancement research initiative forspinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a lifelong condition, requiring ongoing efforts by multiple disciplines to stabilize, diminish, or prevent impairments; av oid or limit secondary complications; and improve or maintain social role f unctioning and quality of life for the individual throughout his or her lif e. There are similar to 200,000 persons with SCI in the United States, of w hom roughly 22% are veterans. The estimated national economic impact of SCI is similar to$9.73 billion per year. These figures illustrate why SCI is a n important topic for the Department of Veterans Affairs Quality Enhancemen t Research Initiative (QUERI). The SCI QUERI will identify gaps in knowledg e of SCI treatment and management, develop research efforts to address thes e gaps, identify best practices for care and management of SCI, and assess whether best practices lead to improved outcomes, including health-related quality of life.