Why Spine Centers?

Ms. Marcy T. Rogers, M.Ed. President/Chief Executive Officer SpineMark Corporation San Diego, California, USA

Definition of Multi-disciplinary Care
Under a multi-disciplinary care model, patients are evaluated by specialty-trained spine surgeons, ancillary providers, and, if necessary, clinicians from a variety of other specialties for operative and non-operative spine care. The team is comprised of some or all of the following:

• Neurological and orthopedic surgery
  
• Physiatry
  
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
  
• Chiropractic
  
• OT/PT
  
• Interventional pain management
  
• Nursing
  
• Radiology
  
• Acupuncture
  
• Biofeedback
  
• Behavior medicine
  
• Psychiatry

In the multi-disciplinary care model, well-defined clinical algorithms and guidelines are used to ensure standardization of care. Rigid documentation and outcomes analysis are performed to substantiate treatment decisions and demonstrate superior effectiveness to payors, claims administrators and employers. A practice continuum is used where patients must demonstrate failure at each level of care, beginning with conservative modalities, in order to progress to the next level of intervention. Ongoing patient satisfaction surveys are performed during the entire process and for a period of up to two years post-surgery or care. Clinical and administrative management is orchestrated to increase efficiency, coordinate care delivery, and improve timely reporting to claims managers and adjusters.

Operative and non-operative modalities are employed in the delivery of patient care and may include:

• Minimally invasive and open spine surgery
  
• Sports medicine surgery
  
• Complex total joint surgery
  
• Therapeutic and diagnostic interventional injections
  
• Implantable devices
  
• Radio frequency lesioning
  
• Intradiscal electrocoagulation
  
• State-of-the-art materials and devices
  
• Functional restoration
  
• Behavioral medicine

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