National Capital Spinal Cord Injury Model System

The National Capital Spinal Cord Injury Model System is based at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital and Georgetown University in Washington, DC. MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital is a free-standing rehabilitation hospital, and the only rehabilitation hospital in the 10-hospital MedStar system. We offer a continuum of care for people with spinal cord injury, include acute inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, access to multiple specialists, wellness, adaptive fitness and sports, driving evaluation, and other services.

The research focus of this Model System is advancing urinary and bladder health for people with SCI. Our team is comprised of rehabilitation clinicians and researchers with expertise in measurement, outcomes and clinical trial design. Specifically, this SCI Model System will assess intravesical probiotics to treat urinary symptoms and to prevent urinary tract infections, and we will lead a collaborative module to determine diagnostic guidelines for urinary tract infection for people with SCI. This work complements other ongoing studies funded by the CDMRP, Craig H Neilsen Foundation, and the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).