Environmental control systems in a spinal injuries unit: a review of 10 years' experience.

In 1979 a 30-bed spinal injuries unit was opened at Burwood Hospital in Christchurch, New Zealand. The design of the building included built-in environmental control facilities for tetraplegic patients. This paper outlines 10 years of experience with environmental controls in a hospital setting, and discusses some of the problems encountered. Special mention is made of ease of setting up equipment, patient interface switches, patient acceptance, and a major upgrade and modification of the original control system. Although not utilized as much as originally anticipated, a definite need for environmental controls with the spinal injuries unit has become firmly established.