New Center integrates state-of-the-art spinal care

Christiana Care has realized a major milestone in the advancement of spine treatment in our community with the launching of the Spine Surgery Center of Excellence in the Bank of America Pavilion. The 15-bed Center, located on the E Tower's fourth floor, integrates comprehensive care into a single setting.

Treatment encompasses state-of-the-art evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and education. The Center provides the best surgical management of spine disorders by offering the most advanced techniques and technologies including minimally invasive surgery accomplished with image guidance, as well as the latest in spinal fusion, artificial disks and disk replacement. The Center includes 12 surgeons - four orthopedic spine surgeons and eight neurosurgeons.

Integrated treatment

A core component of the Spinal Multidisciplinary Neurosciences and Orthopedics program, and modeled in part after the Joint Replacement Center at Wilmington Hospital, the Center unites neurosurgical, orthopedic, imaging, physiatry, outpatient assessment and pain specialists into an integrated delivery system.

The Center's multidisciplinary team will provide optimal care before, during and after surgery for patients afflicted with a range of spinal disorders. Admitted patients will be treated for cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine disorders, which will include conditions such as degenerative diseases, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, tumors and spinal cord injuries.

Outcomes research

The Center also provides a stage for outcomes research. The results, produced by the Christiana Care Center for Outcomes Research, will help achieve several important objectives, including:

• Setting and supporting standards of care
• Fostering innovation
• Reducing variation in care

Christiana Care performs nearly 2,000 spinal surgeries each year. With that many annual cases, it's important to develop an outcomes study that will help us continue our excellent care and patient satisfaction rankings.

For referral information call 800-693-CARE (2273) or 302-623-CARE.