About NSCISC

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) provides knowledge, resources, and services that support the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (SCIMS) Program and Database, with an ultimate goal of advancing medical rehabilitation through increasing the rigor and efficiency of scientific efforts to longitudinally assess the experience of people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Project activities are conducted with several target groups in mind: people with SCI, SCIMS Centers, and individuals who intend to access/use the Database for SCI information or research. The objectives include:

  1. Maintenance of the SCIMS Database through a secure web-based data management system;
  2. Assurance of high-quality data collected from participants of different cultures through standardized operating procedures, certification of Data Collectors, data quality monitoring, SCIMS Center site visits, cultural diversity needs assessment, training, and technical assistance;
  3. Increased use and impact of the SCIMS Database through public data access, collaborative research, internship, award, workshops, information resources, as well as individual consultation and technical assistance; and
  4. Enhanced continuity of the SCIMS Database through subcontracts and centralized collection of follow-up data from previously funded SCIMS Centers.

Outcomes for this NSCISC project include improved diversity and inclusion of the SCIMS Database participants, increased quantity and quality of database research and collaboration, and advance in the knowledge of SCI rehabilitation care. Products from this project include a web-based system that provides a secure environment and user-friendly features for data management and reporting, website-provided tools for accessing SCIMS data and searching SCI statistics, website resources for SCIMS research, annual statistical reports, and consumer-friendly infographics, as well as research presentations and publications.