SCI Everything: Recent Episodes

Matheus Wiest

This podcast addresses topics related to spinal cord injury rehabilitation care, from hospital to living in the community.

Season 01 - COVID-19 Series

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In this podcast, we talk about caregiving in the era of COVID-19. Join us as we discuss planning and preparedness, peer support and outreach, and responses to mental health distress and creative strategies for coping. We also get to hear from a family member who has been providing care to an individual with spinal cord injury, and learn more about her experience in taking on a caregiving role, as well as the challenges she’s faced during the current pandemic. This is SCI Everything, Episode 04, COVID-19 Series

You can also enjoy this episode in a video version (YouTube): https://youtu.be/XFcY-ie1gtw

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjIsbuANZtVfBuJ7UpxnaEw?sub_confirmation=1

RESOURCES

SCI Alberta – Care provider training: https://scialberta.online-compliance.com/careprovider.php

CREDITS

Teren Clarke – Former CEO of Spinal Cord Injury Ontario

Karen Gill – Family Caregiver

Ron Rattie – Peer Support Coordinator, Spinal Cord Injury Ontario

Gaya Jeyathevan – Postdoctoral Fellow, KITE, Toronto Rehab, University Health Network

EDITED BY

Matheus J Wiest

MUSIC

Too Cool by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4534-too-cool

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Disclaimer: This information is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment or support.

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In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people living with spinal cord injury (SCI) living are concerned about urinary catheter availability and alternatives to clean and re-use. John Shepherd, a Ph.D. student at the Rehab Science Institute – UToronto and founder of SCI University, and Hannah Hollett, a talented Registered Nurse at the Toronto Rehab Lyndhurst Centre, discuss how to deal with catheters, methods for cleaning and re-use, and what to do when new prescriptions are needed. Please SUBSCRIBE and share it widely!

You can also enjoy this episode in a videocast version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wbcVjL1AUgU.

We also posted on YouTube a couple of videos on cleaning catheters using the:

Microwave method: https://youtu.be/FPMQOIb69nU

Water and soap method: https://youtu.be/AffVl_77EJI

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjIsbuANZtVfBuJ7UpxnaEw?sub_confirmation=1

Topics:

  1. In exceptional circumstances, how can I clean my catheter? 3:06

  2. If I do not have a microwave, is there another method that I can use? 7:37

  3. Catheters come in different materials such as PVC, silicon, rubber. Do these cleaning methods apply to all these materials? 9:09

  4. Is there a way to clean and re-use hydrophilic catheters? 9:37

  5. How can someone know if the catheter is hydrophilic or not? 10:19

  6. What to do when you cannot sterilize the catheter right away? 11:03

  7. There are concerns about running out of supplies. How many catheters should someone order when re-stocking? 11:51

  8. How can people living with SCI get a new catheter prescription if there is a need to change the type of catheter in use? 12:30

RESOURCES

SCI-U: http://sci-u.ca/

Cleaning Catheters – Microwave method: https://youtu.be/FPMQOIb69nU

Cleaning Catheters – Water and soap method: https://youtu.be/AffVl_77EJI

CREDITS

Chester Ho

Director of the Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation - University of Alberta

Hannah Hollett

Registered Nurse at the Lyndhurst Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network

John Shepherd

Ph.D. student at the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute - University of Toronto

EDITED BY

Matheus J Wiest

MUSIC

Too Cool by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4534-too-cool

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Disclaimer: This information is intended for informational purposes only and should not reduce the frequency of catheter use. This information should be only applied as a last resort. This is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment for a urinary tract infection.

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This inaugural videocast discusses respiratory care for people with spinal cord injury during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Please, leave comments and share!

We also have a Youtube videocast version that you can find at: https://youtu.be/H5NLWQL4WIs

Questions:

Question 1 - Am I at a greater risk for COVID-19 if I have an SCI? 2:15

Question 2 – Do comorbidities (ie diabetes, hypertension, obesity, etc) increase the chances of having a more severe form of COVID-19? 5:04

Question 3 - Would you recommend home care providers to wear masks all the time? 9:54

Question 4 – How should we appropriately wear personal protective equipment (ie gloves, masks, etc) and wash our hands? 13:23

Question 5 – Due to the longevity of the virus, what is the balance between home isolation and levels of cleanness to prevent COVID-19? 15:04

Question 6 – What are your advice for people with SCI that develop COVID-19? 17:47

Question 7 – Once you develop COVID-19 symptoms (cough, fever), when should you seek further medical attention? 19:36

Question 8 – If you are going to an Emergency Room, what are essential items to bring? 28:25

Question 9 – What are local resources in the community when people living with SCI are choosing to go or not to go to the hospital? 38:19

RESOURCES:

Pulmonary support for Myotonic Dystrophy

https://www.myotonic.org/sites/default/files/pages/files/Pulmonary-Support-for-Myotonic-Dystrophy-Patients-During-COVID-19-Pandemic-20200-3-23.pdf

How to wash your hands by Alton Brown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIwdf3WKe3Y

SCI & U – Hand Hygiene for People with Spinal Cord Injury https://sciontario.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Handwashing-guide.pdf

New Brunswick Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (Public Health) – Message to Home Support Agencies

English: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/h-s/pdf/homesupport.pdf

French: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/h-s/pdf/soutiendomicile.pdf

Pulse Oximeters: Here is an example of a pulse oximeter. Check also your local pharmacy or retail store for availability.

https://www.amazon.ca/Oximeter-Fingertip-Saturation-Athletes-Batteries/dp/B082HCHQNK/ref=sr_1_7?crid=1SCJZW7GITT3T&keywords=pulse+oximeter&qid=1586382404&rnid=5690384011&sprefix=pulse+ox%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-7

CREDITS

Comments

Dr. Cathy Craven Spinal Cord Program Medical Lead

University Health Network

Host

Dr. Kristine Cowley

University of Manitoba

Guests

Dr. Graham Jones

Respirologist - Hamilton Health Sciences

Dr. Janice Richman-Eisenstat

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Medicine and Palliative Respiratory Care Specialist - Alberta Health Services

Edited by

Matheus J Wiest

Music

Too Cool by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4534-too-cool

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

None

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Dr. Colleen O'Connell (Physician, Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation - Fredericton) and Beth Knowles (Respiratory Therapist, Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation - Fredericton) discuss how to take care of respiratory equipment during the pandemic.

We also have a videocast version that you can find at:

Youtube:

  1. I use a BiPAP/CPAP – how should I be keeping my equipment clean? 1:42

a. Can I use cleaning products on foam masks? 3:05

  1. Respiratory equipment can generate aerosols and may potentially help to spread COVID-19. Should I keep using them? 3:48

  2. What should patients be doing to ensure that their equipment is well maintained and working during the pandemic? 5:28

  3. Is there a checklist about equipment settings, maintenance and care that people should have? 7:33

  4. If a patient has COVID-related symptoms, should they notify the Ambulance service and the Emergency Room that they intend to visit and that they use respiratory devices? 9:15

  5. Are there guidelines for how often respiratory equipment should be cleaned? 10:12

RESOURCES

COVID-19 Resources: Care Recommendations for Home‑Based Ventilation Patients (Chest Foundation): https://foundation.chestnet.org/patient-education-resources/covid-19-resources-care-recommendations-home-based-ventilation-patients/

Care Recommendations for the Home-Based Ventilation Patient Undergoing Therapy for Known or Suspected Respiratory Viral Infection With COVID-19:

https://foundation.chestnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Care_Recommendations_HomeBasedVentilationCOVID19.pdf

Checklist with for people that need respiratory support:

http://www.ventusers.org/vume/PatientInfo.pdf

CREDITS

Host

Dr. Colleen O'Connell

Physician

Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation (Fredericton)

Guest

Beth Knowles

Respiratory Therapist

Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation (Fredericton)

Edited by

Matheus J Wiest

Music

Too Cool by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4534-too-cool

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/