St. Anne’s Hospital earns certification for spinal surgery program

Fall River, MA – Saint Anne’s Hospital has announced that it has earned national Gold Seal of Approval® certification by The Joint Commission for its spinal surgery program.

The only hospital in Massachusetts to earn this specific national certification, Saint Anne’s spinal surgery program underwent a rigorous on-site review in October. A Joint Commission expert evaluated the program for a range of criteria, including compliance with consensus-based national standards; effective and consistent use of appropriate, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for caring for patients undergoing discectomy, laminectomy, and spinal fusion; and performance measures specific to the spinal surgery patient population.

Saint Anne’s Hospital launched the state’s first navigation-guided, robotic-assisted spinal surgery program in December 2017. Its Globus ExcelsiusGPSTM system is the first technology in Massachusetts to pair robotic-assisted technology with a GPS-like navigation system, similar to that in a car, to guide the surgeon in performing spinal procedures. Prior to surgery, images are taken and fed into the system to create a “map” of the patient’s anatomy. During surgery, this map and live pictures act as a guide in helping the surgeon maneuver a rigid robotic arm to the exact location for precisely placed implants.

Michael Bushell, president of Saint Anne’s Hospital, said that the Joint Commission’s certification of its spine surgery program is recognition of the hospital’s commitment to provide high-quality spine care.

“From our pre-surgical patient and family education classes, through our team’s advanced surgical, anesthesia and rehabilitation expertise, our spine surgery program has become known for high-quality, comprehensive patient care,” said Bushell. “This is due in very large part to the dedication of our neurosurgery team and hospital staff who work together to provide a high-level program that is resulting in outcomes on a par with leading academic centers.”

The hospital’s Spine Center provides a range of advanced, coordinated care for conditions of the neck, back and spine. Some of these include failed back syndrome, neuropathy, nerve entrapment or nerve injury, vertebral compression fractures, disc herniation, spine fractures, spinal tumors, and spinal stenosis. Depending on a diagnosis, patients’ options can include physiatry (physical medicine), pain management, physical and occupational therapy, and/or neurosurgery. A nurse navigation program ensures that patients are seen by the most appropriate specialist, right from the start.