The First 30 Days Packet (Printable)

2. Medication list

Update at every change. Bring to every appointment — it prevents dangerous errors.

3. Bladder log

Track for patterns — volumes, leaks, and UTI warning signs (cloudy, smelly, fever, more spasms). See bladder management and UTIs.

4. Bowel program log

Consistency comes from data. See bowel management.

5. Daily skin check sheet

Check every bony area twice daily: sacrum/tailbone, ischials (sit bones), heels, ankles, hips, shoulder blades, elbows, back of head. Any redness that doesn't fade within 30 minutes is an early pressure injury — report it.

6. Rehab facility call script

Use when calling or touring inpatient rehab facilities (then compare in our Rehab Finder):

• "How many spinal cord injury patients did you treat last year?"
• "Do you have a dedicated SCI unit and physiatrists who specialize in SCI?"
• "How many hours of therapy per day, how many days per week?"
• "What's the typical length of stay for a [level] [complete/incomplete] injury?"
• "Do you train family members hands-on before discharge?"
• "Do you have peer mentors? Wheelchair seating clinic? Urology on staff?"
• "What outpatient or day-program follow-up do you offer?"
• "Do you accept our insurance, and who handles the authorization?"

Facility name: ______________________ Contact: ______________________ Impression (1–10): ____

7. Insurance appeal script

If a rehab stay, length of stay, or equipment is denied — always appeal; many denials are reversed. Ask for the denial in writing, then call:

• "I'm calling about denial reference number ______. I am formally requesting an expedited appeal because the patient is hospitalized with an acute spinal cord injury and a delay endangers their health."
• "Please tell me the exact clinical criteria used for the denial, and send them in writing."
• "I'm requesting a peer-to-peer review between your medical director and the attending physiatrist." (Then tell the physiatrist — they do these often.)
• "What is the deadline for the appeal, where do I send records, and what's the case number for this call?"

Log every call: date, time, name of representative, what was said. If the internal appeal fails, ask about an external/independent review — it's your right in every state. More: appeals guide.

8. Discharge equipment checklist

Order early — equipment and insurance authorizations take weeks. Details: equipment guide and what to ask before discharge.

• Wheelchair (properly fitted — ask for a seating evaluation, not a loaner default)
• Pressure-relief cushion (prescribed type, not generic foam)
• Hospital bed / pressure-reducing mattress (if needed)
• Transfer board / patient lift (and training on it)
• Shower/commode chair
• Catheter supplies — correct type and size, 1+ month supply, reorder set up
• Bowel program supplies
• Skin inspection mirror
• Ramp or temporary threshold solution for the home entrance
• Backup: who do I call when equipment breaks? ______________________

9. Autonomic dysreflexia wallet card

For injuries at T6 and above. Cut out, fold, keep in wallet/wheelchair bag. Full protocol: AD guide.

10. Caregiver training sign-off

Before discharge, a caregiver should have done each of these hands-on, supervised, at least twice — not just watched. More: Caregiver Hub.

• Safe transfers (bed↔chair, chair↔car, floor recovery) — trained by: __________
• Daily skin inspection and pressure-relief schedule — trained by: __________
• Bladder care (catheter routine, troubleshooting, UTI signs) — trained by: __________
• Bowel program, start to finish — trained by: __________
• Autonomic dysreflexia recognition and response — trained by: __________
• Medication schedule and what each med is for — trained by: __________
• Range-of-motion / stretching routine — trained by: __________
• Equipment use: lift, chair parts, cushion care — trained by: __________
• Who to call, in what order, when something goes wrong — list posted at home ☐