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Wednesday, 25 April 2018

Circular details

Title: Acute spinal cord injury and methylprednisolone
Document ID: Operational Instruction OP 0003/91
Date of issue: Wednesday, 27 March 1991
Status: NO LONGER APPLICABLE
File number(s): 88-00226; 89-00604
Category: Clinical
Period of effect: from 27 March 1991
Authorised by: Dr Michael M. Daube, Acting Commissioner of Health, Department of Health, 22-Mar-1991
Acrobat version:
Download this circular in Adobe Acrobat format.   Operational Instruction - OP 0003/91  [10KB]
Print version: View print version View print version

Attachments:

this attachment in Adobe Acrobat format   Protocol for the administration of methylprednisolone in acute spinal cord injuries  [14KB]
Superseded by:
  OP 0355/93  (05-Oct-1993) :: Acute Spinal Cord Injury and Methylprednisolone

Acute spinal cord injury and methylprednisolone

A statistically significant average improvement in the neurological outcome of acute spinal cord injuries of one grade of severity has been found in patients treated with high dose methylprednisolone in a five year trial of drug treatment of spinal injuries (New England Journal of Medicine, 17 May 1990).

As a result of this study, authorities on spinal cord injuries in Australia, including Dr Richard Vaughan, Director, Spinal Unit, Royal Perth Rehabilitation Hospital, are now advocating the early use of methylprednisolone in all patients who have acute spinal injuries. Administration of the drug must commence within 8 hours of injury and within this time should commence as soon as practicable. The dose and preferred route of administration are outlined on the accompanying drug protocol.

I would recommend that all regional hospitals maintain stocks of the drug and that the contents of this letter are drawn to the attention of medical practitioners who work at regional hospitals.

Early initiation of appropriate treatment in suspected spinal cord injury is crucial to optimising neurologic recovery. If you have any questions regarding treatment of suspected spinal cord injury please do not hesitate to call the spinal Unit of Royal Perth Rehabilitation Hospital on (09) 382 7283.


Dr Michael M. Daube
ACTING COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

This circular last updated: Wednesday, 4 May 2005 at 5:05pm

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