Development and implementation of nursing consultation groups on a spinal cord injury unit.

Stress, time constraints, patient satisfaction, need for support, and cost containment became the impetus for a nursing consultation group on a spinal cord injury (SCI) unit. This unit is located in part of a center for rehabilitation in a large, tertiary care medical center. Staff on this unit care for a maximum of 20 spinal cord injured individuals and their families. This article describes how the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) identified the need for such a group as well as the benefits, membership, structure, and types of nursing issues addressed. Pitfalls and how to avoid them are identified for those interested in developing similar consultation groups.