Spine Center of Excellence
The Salem Health Spine Center started in 2008 as a triage center to help expedite the referral process to spine specialists, particularly neurosurgeons.
Knowing the majority of episodes of back and neck pain can be managed conservatively, this process allows for more timely reviews from a neurosurgeon and helps expedite the care for those who need spine surgery.
Since its inception, the Spine Center has grown to involve patient education and helping direct nonsurgical care, surgical management, perioperative education and postoperative therapy to put the patient at the center of their own care.
In 2010, Salem Health Spine Center was designated as a Center of Excellence by The Joint Commission. Every two years we apply for recertification as a Center of Excellence to ensure quality care through a commitment to evidence-based practice, patient safety and continuous improvement. In 2022, the Salem Health Spine Center was recertified by The Joint Commission for the sixth time.
Patient stories
Watch a Spine Center testimonial from a real patient success story. From medicine to exercise to surgery, patients explain how they finally got the relief they needed.
Salem Health Spine Center: Safety in spine surgery
The partnership between Salem Health, Salem Health Spine Center and Capital Neurosurgery Specialists has always been focused on your safety.
As part of "Safety in Spine Surgery Month" this April, we wanted to share some of the ways we keep patients safe:
- Back or neck pain can create immense amounts of suffering, so we strive to give the right surgery on the right patient at the right time with minimal delays.
- We work closely with primary care providers to stay on top of the latest proven non-surgical and surgical treatments.
- We continuously update our personalized plans (both conservative and surgical) for each patient based on clinical experience and best evidence available to make sure those with back or neck pain have the best possible outcome.
- We assist patients in managing opioid use to balance pain relief with safety. Along with this, we provide free community based education for people before they have surgery so they can have the best experience possible.
- Our newest neurosurgeon is one of the first to perform endoscopic spine surgery in Oregon. This provides a smaller incision, less blood loss, less muscle injury, less pain and faster recovery.
Learn more and meet the team at Salem Health Spine Center.