The Spinal Cord Injury Program at Mount Sinai is a national leader in the field of spinal cord injury rehabilitation, integrating research, clinical care and education to improve patients’ lives. The program ranks 6th in rehabilitation medicine research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation to maximize recovery and help transition patients from the hospital environment to home. Innovative and coordinated therapy programs are delivered by a multidisciplinary clinical team that includes physicians, neuropsychologists, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, speech language pathologists, and therapeutic recreation specialists.

 

Although the Mount Sinai Spinal Cord Injury program is our “maiden” undertaking, it didn’t begin as, or do we even consider it, a “project.” It started as a simple initiative to improve the experience of a close friend, Chris Scott, while spending time at the Mount Sinai Hospital and by extension with all their patients with similar circumstances. The goal of this project, and all ACX Foundation initiatives, is to provide meaningful technology with a purpose on an ongoing basis.

 

ACX Foundation is offering our time and talent to upgrade and modernize the current recreation room to bring comfort, ease and practicality to patients and families who are under the care of the Mount Sinai Spinal Cord Injury program. Our mission is to replace all outdated technology that has very little functionality for patients and family members and create a useful, functional and entertaining environment that will heighten the experience, facilitate access, and enhance purpose for patients.

 

Kitchen Upgrade

• Current: The enclosed kitchen is approximately six feet deep and 25 feet long. It has an accordion curtain that is locked and closes the kitchen when not in use. All the cabinets have locks and are secured.

• Mission: To provide new appliances that include oven/stove top, microwave, dishwasher and refrigerator. Smart technology may be utilized to demonstrate the applications, as well as showcase their solutions in a hospital environment.

  • Upgrade all the cabinets to be aesthetically attractive as well as functional for wheel chair recipients/patients. Cooking classes and a practical area are also under consideration.

  • Smart kitchen technology that utilizes voice control/commands can heighten the experience of wheel chair patients with extreme disabilities.

 

Entertainment Upgrade

• Current: The room supplies one 50” television, an antiquated gaming console, DVD player, 15” computer monitor and tower at a desk. All equipment must be secured and locked down.

• Mission: Develop an attractive functional entertainment system and computer work stations that are wheelchair accessible, making it easier for patients to use the equipment with little or no help from staff.

  • The room currently hosts daily events for the patients that include partner dancing in wheelchairs, movie night, arts & crafts and video game night. The patients have access to the room 24/7 and would appreciate an entertainment system that provides ease of operation and comfort to the user.

  • The goal is to provide new hardware and software so wheelchair patients can enjoy the use of entertainment system custom tailored for their unique requirements.

 

Sitting Area Upgrade

• Current: Five fold-and-roll away tables are old and dated; difficult to reposition.

• Mission: Develop and install electronic roll away and/or height adjusted tables for use by wheelchair patients, families and staff.

 

• Current: The two large room windows are manual drawstring shades that do not black out when using entertainment and causes glares to the screens.

• Mission: Develop an attractive electronic black out shade that can tie into the entertainment control system that will eventually utilize voice control.

 

Here’s what patient and administration have to say about the project: