The Spinal Unit (USU) is a facility devoted to the assistance of people with traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injuries, since the moment of the injury, in order to allow injured people to reach the highest level of health and functional skills allowed by the injury. (Department of Health guidelines for rehabilitation activities, May 7th, 1998)
A global rehabilitation
The Spinal Unit is a professional and multidisciplinary facility which aims at facing and satisfying the assistance, the therapeutic, rehabilitative and psychosocial needs of the people who suffered from a spinal cord injury (SCI).
The medical care starts at the very moment of the injury, by preventing complications, until the full recovery of the residual functions and the highest level of independence. The facility allows doctors to admit the patients affected by SCI as soon as possible, treating them with diagnostic tests and therapeutic care after their first admittance. The Spinal Unit also wants to be a permanent point of reference, by promoting activities for the full social reintegration. (with the cooperation of AUS Niguarda Onlus, a non-profit organisation).
The activities that take place at the USU deal with every aspect of this kind of disability, involving breathing, nutrition, neuro-motor activities, bowel and bladder management, and psychological and sexual issues.
The experience in the treatment of children affected by spina bifida allowed to acquire some essential knowledge for the care of SCI children.
Thanks to the experience developed in years of work with a multidisciplinary and interprofessional team, USU Niguarda is now able to treat patients with high cervical injuries, and consequently affected by severe quadriplegia, who need a permanent ventilators in order to breathe (C0-C4 injury level) and children too, with or without the need of ventilators.
The facility
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4 levels, 1600 Mq. per level
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40 beds in double rooms with ensuite bathroom
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2 pre-dismissal apartments
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Area for breathing physiotherapy
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Gym for physiotherapy activities
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Area for occupational therapy and ordinary activities training
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Gym for sport activities
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Swimming pool
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Rooms for social activities and free time
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Pc room for training
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Classrooms
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Day hospital and outpatient's department area
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Neuro-urologic area.