Advancing Timely Spinal Cord Injury Care

Turning research evidence into clinical practice requires collaboration, coordination and sustained effort. A Praxis-funded initiative led by Dr. Michael Fehlings and his team is advancing the implementation of evidence-based recommendations for timely surgical care following acute spinal cord injury (SCI).

Known as “time to spine,” the initiative aims to reduce delays and support earlier spinal decompression surgery, when clinically appropriate. With the evidence for timely intervention well established, the focus has shifted to ensuring these recommendations into consistent practice across healthcare systems.

The latest phase centres on implementation, bringing together clinicians, hospitals, health systems and people with lived experience to develop coordinated care pathways.

A key milestone has been collaboration with the University of Alberta, helping build province-wide consensus and advance the adoption of early decompression recommendations across Alberta. People with lived experience have been vital to successful implementation, contributing perspectives that help ensure the initiative reflects the priorities and realities of those affected by SCI.

The team is now advancing a collaboration with the American College of Surgeons, with care pathway guidelines being finalized for future dissemination and adoption.

Praxis is proud to support this initiative, helping bridge the gap between evidence and practice and bringing timely, evidence-based SCI care closer to becoming the standard of care.