With new techniques and technologies making outpatient spine surgery safer and more effective, more and more ambulatory surgery centers are becoming increasingly spine-focused. Here are 38 primarily spine-driven ASCs.
If you would like to suggest an addition for this list, contact Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com.
Barrington (Ill.) Pain and Spine Institute. Barrington Pain and Spine Institute performed its first outpatient spine surgery in October 2014, after receiving certificate of need approval to add spine services in April of that year. The center also offers interventional pain management services. Physician performing procedures at the center address back pain, neck pain, pelvic pain, headaches, myofascial pain and more.
Blue Ridge Surgery Center (Raleigh, N.C.). The surgery center has been offering spine surgery for three years. Surgeons at the center perform multi-level lumbar laminectomies and multi-level ACDF cases.
"We are always excited to take on new surgery cases," says Cassandra Clark, RQC/risk manager of the surgery center. "Due to the success of these surgeries, we are currently planning to expand our spine services to include posterior cervical spines in the near future."
The multispecialty ASC was established in 1985 and is affiliated with Surgical Care Affiliates. The 13,000-square-foot facility includes six operating rooms and a minor procedure room. In addition to spine surgery, the center offers services in numerous specialties, such as gynecology, general surgery, ENT and urology.
Carrillo Surgery Center (Santa Barbara, Calif.). Carrillo Surgery Center was founded in 2005 by Alan Moelleken, MD, who also founded and chairs the Tri-County Spine and Orthopedic Conference. There are several procedures performed at the two-OR facility, including spine procedures, general orthopedic procedures and interventional pain management. Carrillo Surgery Center is fully accredited by AAAHC and Medicare-certified. Pain management physician Robert Wood, MD, MPH, is currently the medical director. Dr. Moelleken still performs procedures at the center.
The Christ Hospital Spine Surgery Center (Cincinnati). This freestanding ASC, featuring 11 neurosurgeons and seven pain management physicians, is a partnership between the Mayfield Clinic, The Christ Hospital and United Surgical Partners International. When Mayfield Clinic founded the ASC in 2007, it was the first freestanding center in the region to provide spine surgery. Since then it has performed more than 20,000 spine procedures, which include single- and multi-level lumbar laminectomies, single- and multi-level anterior cervical discectomies and fusions and single-level spinal cord decompression. The surgery center features three operating rooms, one pain management suite and 11 pre- and postoperative patient rooms.
Christiana Spine Center (Newark, Del.). Physicians at Christiana Spine Center perform minimally invasive spinal procedures in their outpatient facility, which has its main office on the Christiana Hospital campus. Christiana Spine Center has been operating in that location since June 2000 and the surgery center is accredited by AAAHC. In addition to clinical care, the nine physicians are also engaged in research to further their field.
Citrus Park Surgery Center (Tampa, Fla.). This two-OR center covers spine and orthopedic surgery as well as pain management and plastic surgery. One of this center's surgeons, Robert Nucci, MD, is the founder of the Nucci Spine and Orthopedic Institute in Tampa. Dr. Nucci focuses on minimally invasive outpatient lumbar fusions and multi-level outpatient cervical disc replacements. He was among the first physician to actively employ Bio-Plex in his surgeries, a standard that is now used in a wide range of orthopedic surgeries.
Crane Creek Surgery Center (Melbourne, Fla.). Crane Creek Surgery Center was founded in 2008 by physicians from Osler Medical Group and Blue Chip Surgical took over management a year later. In 2013, the center partnered with Wuesthoff Health System. The 18,800 square-foot surgery center includes four operating rooms and two procedure rooms. Surgeons perform orthopedics, spine, general surgery, pain management and urology. Surgeons perform complex spinal procedures and diagnostic testing. In addition to the surgical facility, there is an auditorium for educational programs for the public and staff, as well as a venue for training visiting residents and physicians. The facility also includes an O-Arm Imaging System from Medtronic. Crane Creek Surgery Center's Richard Hynes, MD, has also instructed fellow surgeons on the oblique lumbar interbody fusion technique at the center.
Diagnostic and Interventional Surgical Center (Marina del Rey, Calif.) & DISC Surgery Center at Newport Beach (Calif.). Both surgery centers are owned and operated by DISC Sports & Spine Center and Surgical Care Affiliates. Diagnostic and Interventional Surgical Center (DISC) was founded in 2006 and was designed for performing high-acuity spine surgeries, along with orthopedic and pain management procedures, in an ambulatory setting. DISC Surgery Center at Newport Beach was opened in 2011 with the same multispecialty model in mind, according to Karen Reiter, RN, COO at DISC.
"As time has gone by we have developed specific protocols that surround spine patients and these processes drive a successful program. With that protocol-driven, patent-centric care, we have continued to expand the spine service line provided at both facilities to the current high-acuity mix of spinal surgery that we do on a daily basis," says Ms. Reiter.
The centers' most common procedures include lumbar micro decompression and discectomy; anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (at one or several levels); artificial disc replacement; and posterior cervical decompressions. Ms Reiter also says that the centers perform complex spinal reconstructions on a routine basis, including cervical and lumbar multilevel anterior and posterior fusions and anterior lateral lumbar interbody fusions.
In the future, DISC plans to continue focusing on streamlining the process to maximize team performance. Additionally, Diagnostic and Interventional Surgery Center is also expanding its orthopedic service lines and looking to incorporate total joint replacements.
"The total joint replacements are a natural 'next step' as they mimic the mindset of complex spinal care," she says.
Eastwind Surgical (Westerville, Ohio). The 10,350-square-foot Eastwind Surgical facility opened in 2007 as a multispecialty surgery center. It was established by the physicians of Central Ohio Neurological Surgeons and accredited by the Ohio Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. The center became a Meridian Surgical Partners facility in July 2011. The facility is among the only surgery centers in Ohio to offer the Axis Jackson Surgical Table for spinal procedures. The surgeons perform several procedures, including lumbar discectomy and decompression, lumbar fusion, anterior cervical discectomy, carpal tunnel release, epidural steroid injections, facet blocks and sacroiliac joint injections. Eastwind is under the leadership of administrator Lynn S. Feldman.
Englewood (Colo.) Surgery Center. Englewood Surgery Center is located on Colorado Comprehensive Spine Institute's main campus and provides customized spine care. Physicians have a special interest in several areas of spine care, including minimally invasive spine surgery, cervical disc replacement and spinal fusion. The ASC includes four physicians who provide spine surgery and pain management. The practice also includes physical therapy and MRI.
GNS Surgery Center (Athens, Ga.). This 8,000-square-foot surgery center is focused on providing spinal procedures. The ASC includes two operating rooms where five spine surgeons perform procedures. The center is affiliated with Georgia Neurological Surgery, Georgia Comprehensive Spine and Blue Chip Surgery Center Partners. The center also includes pain management and interventional pain procedures.
Greensboro (N.C.) Specialty Surgical Center. The surgery center, a Surgical Care Affiliates-center, began performing spine cases in January 2011, according to administrator Debbie Murphy. The facility has 11 neurosurgeons who perform more than 400 spine cases annually, including one-and two-level anterior cervical discectomy fusions and laminectomies.
"Greensboro Specialty is currently in the process of expanding capacity to include options for patients needing extended services. This will allow for the movement of three-and four-level ACDF volume, along with other volume types," said Ms. Murphy.
The surgery center is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. It opened in 1996 and currently features three operating rooms and two procedure rooms. It also offers surgical services to patients suffering from gastrointestinal, hand, ophthalmic and pain conditions.
Honolulu (Hawaii) Spine Surgery Center. This Surgery Partners facility involves four orthopedic specialists and three neurosurgeons. It hosts such services as hand surgery, minimally invasive spine procedures, neurosurgery, interventional orthopedics and pain management. The 7,800-square-foot center opened in 2007. It has two ORs and a private recovery room and provides a wide variety of equipment for minimally invasive surgeries.
Laser Spine Institute (Tampa, Fla.). Headquartered in Tampa, Laser Spine Institute also includes ASCs in Philadelphia, Scottsdale, Ariz., Oklahoma City, Cleveland, St. Louis and Cincinnati. Through minimally invasive spine surgery, Laser Spine Institute's mission is to expand healthcare options for patients. Laser Spine Institute treats a variety of spinal conditions, including spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, bone spurs, bulging/herniated discs and sciatica. It boasts an electronic medical record system, imaging services, family waiting room with free catered breakfasts and lunches, zero-gravity chairs and computers with free Internet access.
Loveland Surgery Center (Loveland, Colo.). Loveland hosts orthopedic, spine, pain management and ENT procedures. It has eight physician-owners. The center's spine program was an early adopter of the level-three Prestige cervical disc replacement, the Coflex device, the multi-level NeoDisc replacement and the Dynamic Stabilization System for a posterior lumbar fusion. Loveland Surgery holds a convalescent license, allowing it to cover more complex surgeries. The surgery center is accredited by The Joint Commission. David Ornelas is the administrator and CEO of the center.
Mayfield Spine Surgery Center (Cincinnati, Ohio). Opened in 2007, the Mayfield Spine Surgery Center is a freestanding ASC that provides spine, neurosurgery and pain management services to the Cincinnati area. Procedures performed at the ASC include minimally invasive discectomies and spinal fusions. The center features three operating rooms and a pain management suite. Each patient room includes amenities such as a flat screen television for the patient's pre- and postoperative stays at the center.
Memorial Spine & Neuroscience Center (South Bend, Ind.). Memorial Spine & Neuroscience Center offers minimally invasive spine surgery, peripheral nerve surgery and pain management procedures. There are four physicians affiliated with the facility, which is located just south of Memorial Hospital.
Mobile (Ala.) Surgery Center. The ASC has offered spine procedures since 1993. "We have done laminectomies since this time as well as pain procedures and we are evaluating at the present ACDFs," says Julie C. Saucier, RN, administrator of the center.
Opened in 1984, the 19,000-square-foot surgery center includes four operating rooms and three procedure rooms. It employs 50 full-and part-time teammates and is licensed by the State of Alabama, accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and certified by Medicare. The center offers surgical services in specialties, including orthopedics, gynecology, oral surgery and ophthalmology.
NeoSpine (Puyallup, Wash.). South Sound Neurosurgery Brain & Spine Center is the outpatient surgical facility of South Sound Neurosurgery, led by Richard Wohns, MD. The surgery center includes two operating rooms and has earned the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission. The facility also includes an MRI and conference/education room. The surgeons perform a variety of outpatient minimally invasive spine procedures and also provide pain management services.
Neurological Institute Ambulatory Surgery Center (Savannah, Ga.). The Neurological Institute Ambulatory Surgery Center includes multiple operating rooms and a procedure room. There are 10 physicians credentialed to perform cases at the center. The physicians have a special interest in minimally invasive procedures, artificial disc replacement and spinal fractures. It is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.
NeuroSpine and Pain Surgery Center (Ft. Wayne, Ind.). NeuroSpine is a joint venture between neurosurgeons and the physical medicine physicians of the NeuroSpine and Pain Center and Lutheran Hospital of Indiana. Opened in January 2007, NeuroSpine and Pain Surgery Center concentrates on solutions for neck and back surgery to treat low back pain, upper back pain, neck pain and muscle pain. In addition to the center's six neurosurgeons, the center includes physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists. The facility houses three ORs, one procedure room, 10 pre- and postsurgical rooms and six recovery beds, allowing privacy and support during recovery, 23 hours if necessary
North American Spine (Dallas). Orthopedic spine surgeons, neurosurgeons and pain management physician perform procedures at North American Spine. The center offers procedures including AccuraScope DND for conditions of the lumbar spine. The center focuses on minimally procedures. The center recently added the CuraSpine and SecuraSpine procedures.
North American Spine has a number of locations around the United States, including Minneapolis, Phoenix, Houston, Dallas and Hackensack, N.J. Its centers focus on providing pain relief treatments. North American Spine was recently acquired by Nobilis Health.
Orthopaedic and Neurological Center of Greenwich (Conn.). The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Ambulatory Surgical Center, operating under the name Orthopaedic and Neurological Center of Greenwich, is a joint venture between Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists in Greenwich and Greenwich Hospital. The surgery center includes four operating rooms that have high definition video cameras for arthroscopic procedures. The physicians perform knee and shoulder arthroscopy, ACL reconstruction, extremities care and minimally invasive spine procedures.
The Orthopaedic & Spine Center of Southern Colorado (Colorado Springs). The 30,000-square-foot Orthopaedic & Spine Center of Southern Colorado opened in 2014. The center has six operating rooms and nine private suites for patients who require an overnight stay. The center is staffed with 24-hour nursing care. Spine procedures performed at the center include lumbar fusion, artificial lumbar disc replacement, minimally invasive lateral access spine surgery, minimally invasive posterior fusion spine surgery, lumbar discectomy, ACDF, kyphoplasty and laminectomy. Nineteen physicians perform spine, orthopedic and pain management procedures at the center. The Orthopaedic & Spine Center of Southern Colorado is managed by Pinnacle III.
Orthopaedic Surgery Center of La Jolla (Calif.). This is the orthopedic ASC of Surgery One, a network of four outpatient surgery centers in the San Diego area. The ASC hosts nine spine surgeons, 22 orthopedic surgeons and four pain management physicians. Surgeons perform joint replacement, arthroscopy, spine surgery and general surgery at the facility. The surgery center is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.
Parkway Surgery Center (Hagerstown, Md.). Opened in August 2006, Parkway offers comprehensive spine treatments and non-invasive spine surgical procedures. The ASC was founded by the physicians of Parkway Neuroscience and Spine Institute. With 11 surgeons performing cases at the center, it is part of the Blue Chip Surgical Center Partners network. The center includes one operating room and one procedure room where physicians perform several procedures, including facet injections, nerve blocks, laminotomy, laminectomy, discectomy and spinal fusion. It is accredited by The Joint Commission and includes an MRI and CT scan.
Prairie Surgicare (Peoria, Ill.). Prairie Surgicare provides exclusively spine and pain procedures. The surgery center was opened by Richard A Kube, MD, FACSS, FAAOS, CIME. Dr. Kube is also the founder of the physician practice Prairie Spine & Pain Institute. The surgery center is accredited by AAAHC.
Presidio Surgery Center (San Francisco). The surgery center started performing spine procedures in 2007. They offer a number of spine procedures including laminectomies, ACDFs and decompressions. "We are always trying to expand the service line to meet the needs of our community," said Jessie Scott, MBA, administrator of the center.
The surgery center was established in 1989 and is accredited by The Joint Commission. It is also Medicare-certified and an affiliate of California Pacific Medical Center and Surgical Care Affiliates. In addition to spine care, the center offers general surgery, orthopedics, ENT, urology and pain management.
Spine Care Specialists (Munster, Ill.). Spine Care Specialists provide treatment for spine conditions such as disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spine compression fractures and spondylolisthesis. Procedures performed at the center include lumbar microdiscectomy, lumbar decompression, minimally invasive ACDF, minimally invasive lateral interbody fusion, anterior lumbar interbody fusion and more. Spine Care Specialists surgeons include Nitin Khanna, MD, FAAOS, and Dwight Tyndall, MD, FAAOS.
Spine Centers of America (Fair Lawn, N.J.). Spine Centers of America, affiliated with New Jersey Back Institute, operates three surgical centers with a team of certified endoscopic spine surgeons. Founder and Head Surgeon Bryan J. Massoud, MD, has performed more than 1,000 minimally invasive spine surgeries for maladies such as cervical and lumbar disc herniations, thoracic disc herniations, spinal stenosis, failed back surgery syndrome, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis and infections. He also instructs orthopedic residents and colleagues in new procedure and endoscopic techniques. Spine Centers of America opened its Advanced Spine Surgery Center in Union, N.J., in November 2010.
The Spine Institute of Southern New Jersey (Marlton, N.J.). Surgeons at The Spine Institute of Southern New Jersey perform spinal surgery, which includes lumbar discectomy, lumbar laminectomy, posterior lumbar interbody fusion and anterior lumbar interbody fusion. The ASC's staff is focused on providing one-on-one care. Physicians include founder Joan O'Shea, MD, and neurosurgeon R.J. Meagher, MD, whose areas of interest includes a concussion program.
Spine & Sports Surgery Center (Campbell, Calif.). Spine & Sports Surgery Center includes orthopedic surgery, pain management and physiatry. The center is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and Medicare certified. The surgeons are affiliated with the North American Spine Society, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The facility is affiliated with Spine & Sports Medical Center.
Spine Surgery Center of Eugene (Eugene, Ore.). The Spine Surgery Center of Eugene was opened in 2007 by Glenn L. Keiper Jr., MD, founder of KeiperSpine, and several associates. Dr. Keiper has focused on motion-sparing techniques, which has helped him develop new technology for spine surgery. Physicians perform minimally invasive spine procedures. The surgery center is lead by Administrator and CEO P. Evelyn Cole, MHSA, CASC. The center is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.
Squaw Peak Surgical Facility (Phoenix). Squaw Peak Surgical Facility was founded by spine surgeon Anthony Yeung, MD, in 1998 to complement his practice, Desert Institute for Spine Care. Surgeons at the two-operating room surgery center perform several spine procedures, including endoscopic transforaminal thoracic and lumbar spine decompression, Yeung Endoscopic Spine Surgery (selective endoscopic discectomy), mircor lumbar discectomy, endoscopic dorsal ramus rhizotomy and ablation and therapeutic injections. Injections include transforaminal epidural steroid injections, facet injections, medical branch block injections and caudel injections.
Additionally, specialties at the center also include evocative discography selective endoscopic discectomy; thermal annuloplasty; transforminal decompression; and dorsal endoscopically guided rhizotomy, which was developed using the Yeung Endoscopic Spine Surgery system. These procedures are collectively described as the YESS philosophy and technique. The techniques were developed by Dr. Anthony Yeung over 20 years.
The surgeons are team spine surgeons and consultants for several professional athletic teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds.
Surgery Center of Reno (Nev.). This multispecialty ASC has a strong orthopedics program with 16 orthopedic surgeons. Its spine and neurosurgery program has five spine surgeons. The surgeons perform minimally invasive surgery and offer nine other subspecialties. Spine surgeon James Lynch, MD, serves as chairman of the board of directors for the center. By combining multiple disciplines, the center is able to offer a team approach to find treatment for those suffering from back or neck pain.
Surgery Center of Viera (Melbourne, Fla.). The Surgery Center of Viera is Deuk Spine Institute's ASC. Neuro-spine surgeon Ara Deukmedjian, MD, is the CEO and medical director of Deuk Spine Institute. The AAAHC-accredited surgery center offers a number of spine procedures including Deuk Laser Disc Repair and more. Interventional pain management physicians Vijay Katukuri, MD, and Bharat Patel, MD, also perform procedures at the center. The Surgery Center of Viera offers bundled services and transparent billing.
Two Rivers Surgical Center (Eugene, Ore.). Formerly named Northwest Neurospine Institute, Two Rivers Surgical Center opened in July 2006. The 7,911-square-foot facility, acquired by Meridian Surgical Partners in August 2008, was specifically designed for outpatient spine procedures, using two ORs. The facility also provides pain management procedures. Angel Kellum serves as the center's administrator. Two Rivers Surgical Center is a Medicare-certified and recognized by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.
West Park Surgery Center (Cape Girardeau, Mo.). West Park Surgery Center was formed in association with the physicians from Regional Brain & Spine in Cape Girardeau and Blue Chip Surgical Center Partners. Surgeons at the center perform anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, microdiscectomy, carpal tunnel, ulnar nerve transposition and pain management procedures. The surgery center includes five physicians.
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