These guidelines have been developed for assessors, rehabilitation service providers and ACC staff, who work with clients who have a significant impairment due to a traumatic injury to the spinal cord.
Using these guidelines
These guidelines aim to increase assessors’ and rehabilitation service providers’ understanding of the typical range of supports needed by people with different levels of spinal cord injury.
Definitions
This page contains terms and definitions used in the spinal cord injury guidelines.
Factors that affect attendant care
Factors that may reduce or increase the amount of attendant care required.
Recommendations for attendant care
There are sixteen sets of classifications corresponding to different types of spinal cord injury. Each type of spinal cord injury classification is linked to a description of abilities and types of assistance typically required, and the recommended total hours of human support the injured person would need.
Background to the ACC Spinal injury guidelines
These guidelines were developed from the New South Wales Motor Accidents Authority guidelines for levels of attendant care for people with spinal injuries. The guidelines were modified for a New Zealand context through consultation with expert informants through a series of workshops.
ASIA impairment scale
The ASIA impairment scale describes the person’s functional impairment as a result of their injury.
Last updated: 20 February 2009