Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are among the most serious diagnoses anyone can face, and often result in life-altering changes that impact nearly every facet of daily life. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, each year, approximately 17,810 people experience an SCI in the United States alone. SCIs typically cause paralysis, loss of mobility, loss of sensation, severe pain, and a wide range of functional, psychological, and behavioral health concerns that require careful management.

As devastating as these injuries can be, with comprehensive treatment and strong family and community support, many SCI patients are able to go on to experience fulfilling, productive, and active lives. Sponsored by the United Spinal Association, Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month is an annual event that takes place each September to raise awareness of the daily challenges faced by the hundreds of thousands of people living with SCIs. Through increased education and support in these areas, one of the primary goals is to continue the advancement and development of SCI care.

Spinal cord injuries have always been a core focus for Paradigm, and over the years, we have been committed to expanding our ability to connect these injured workers to the top-quality care they deserve. From catastrophic care management to skilled nursing facility specialty networks, our team works hard to facilitate the highest levels of spinal cord injury treatment.

Better outcomes for catastrophic and severe SCI cases
Paradigm has been delivering guaranteed outcomes in catastrophic workplace SCIs for more than 30 years. Our HERO Catastrophic^SM solution helps patients and their families overcome tremendous obstacles when returning to their homes, communities, and places of work. Each case is matched with a specially trained and experienced Paradigm Medical Director and Paradigm Network Manager, who evaluate the diagnosis in order to develop a care plan that puts patients on proven care trajectories.

In one of the many positive case studies for spine-injured workers, a Paradigm Management Team was able to assist a catastrophically injured truck driver adjust to his new post-injury life. This included wheelchair training, strength and mobility training, consulting with care providers, readying his home with modifications, coordinating all home attendants, and planning for a lifetime of care. This level of treatment and support enabled this patient to learn to drive a modified vehicle and volunteer in his community.

Paradigm’s HERO Severe^SM product offers the same financial certainty and guaranteed outcomes for less catastrophic SCIs. This includes SCI cases with no anticipated permanent neurological deficits, and SCIs resulting in paraplegia with no secondary issues or significant comorbidities.

Using decades of proprietary case data, deep behavioral health support, and highly collaborative, value-based provider relationships, Paradigm’s catastrophic risk management solutions are able to achieve unmatched results, including nearly six times higher return-to-work rates and 32% lower lifetime medical costs.

Matching SCI patients with the best skilled nursing facilities
To meet a growing range of SCI treatment needs, Paradigm’s Post-Acute Care Network includes more than 600 network and affiliate providers to serve patients dealing with work-related spinal cord injuries. These professionals provide compassionate and comprehensive rehabilitation services, including long-term workers’ compensation care, to seriously injured patients once they have been stabilized.

The 70 carefully selected residential care spinal cord injury centers in the Paradigm network play a vital role in providing intensive multidisciplinary care services to injured workers who require long-term rehabilitation and respiratory therapy support. These skilled nursing facilities can deliver both intensive residential inpatient services and extended day programs on an outpatient basis.

In one recent SCI case, Paradigm managed the care of a roofer who had experienced a three-story fall that resulted in a severe spinal cord injury and quadriplegia. Over the course of a four-year care pathway, this injured worker achieved independence in wheelchair mobility and assisted-driving certification. Thanks to modification adaptations and caregiver assistance, he is back home and can walk for short distances. Through the focused oversight of our Post-Acute Care Network, this case was able to realize savings significantly below benchmark fee schedules and total billed charges.

Help Paradigm raise awareness for Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month
During September, participants are invited to use the hashtags #UnitedSpinal, #WeRollUnited, and #SCIAwareness to help promote education and awareness around spinal cord injuries and the amazing community that supports affected individuals. Paradigm will raise awareness on our social media channels. Support us by liking and sharing our posts.

Learn more about Paradigm’s Catastrophic and Risk Solutions and Specialty Networks.