Evaluating initial screening practices for calcium dysregulation after acute traumatic spinal cord injury: a retrospective review.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of which calcium homeostasis markers are obtained in the acute setting after an initial traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI).

Design: Retrospective chart review of a limited data set linking ICD 10 codes designating TSCI to corresponding calcium homeostasis markers for patients with an initial chart encounter for TSCI.

Setting: A level 1 trauma center in Virginia, United States METHODS: The statistical software SPSS was used to calculate summary statistics including frequency, mean, and standard deviation for calcium homeostasis markers (basic metabolic panel, magnesium, spot urine calcium, testosterone panel, liver function tests, Vitamin D level, C-telopeptide, parathyroid hormone, celiac panel, DXA imaging report) as well as the mean and standard deviation for time to first check of the marker.

Results: Most markers were not obtained besides calcium. Only 10 of 80 (12.5%) of subjects had a Vitamin D level (mean 28, SD 23) checked during acute admission (mean days to check 1.5, SD 1.6), with most other markers checked much less frequently.

Conclusions: Most calcium homeostasis markers were not checked on acute admission after TSCI. Future studies on implementing a standardized calcium homeostasis marker protocol for monitoring and potential medical intervention should be explored.