Clinical Outcomes

The TRUE definition of quality is reduction of variation about the mean. As quality experts note, unless you have data, you have no business talking about quality. The focus of Michael Rohan Spine is on improving care for back and neck patients. Michael Rohan Spine uses written protocols that emphasize a nonsurgical approach first, and surgery is held as the last resort.

In the coming year, new patients coming into Michael Rohan Spine will complete an intake form that measures their pain level, severity of symptoms and functional status. Three months after their first visit, a nurse will call a random sample of these patients and interview them for functional status, current symptoms and patient satisfaction. This is the most unbiased, statistically relevant method for outcomes analysis.

The clinical outcomes will then be analyzed by an outside firm that specializes in tracking spine outcomes, and is involved with other spine centers across the U.S. Quality is a journey, however, rather than a destination, and we are committed to continually improving.

Understanding quality in spine care

The focus of Michael Rohan Spine is on improving care for back and neck patients. Michael Rohan Spine uses written protocols that emphasize a nonsurgical approach first, and surgery is held as the last resort.

This is NOT the case with other spine surgeons in Northwest Florida, many of whom can operate unnecessarily, with 3-inch long incisions and an emphasis on spinal fusion rather than motion preservation.

It’s important for the patient to understand that your choice of spine physician will determine the quality of healthcare you will receive.

There have been many advances in the field of spine care over the past 10 years. Unfortunately, there are some spine surgeons who are using outdated techniques and 3-inch long open incisions that can require outside blood. This by itself can increase patient risk of issues from that type of surgery.

That’s because it takes a great commitment of time and training for a surgeon to learn to operate through instruments the width of a ballpoint pen and a one-inch incision. With minimally invasive spine surgery, the surgeon views the spine through special instruments that have a camera and incisor in the tip. While this minimally invasive approach requires additional training for the spine surgeon, there are tremendous benefits for the patient.

But there is great benefit for the patient to have a one-inch incision. There is less blood loss and no need for donated blood. Because the incision is shorter, there is less disruption to muscles and ligaments so your recovery is much faster and less painful.

Again, your choice of surgeon will dictate the level of healthcare quality you receive.

 

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Dr. Michael Rohan, Jr. is a board certified orthopedic surgeon who is fellowship-trained in spine surgery, the highest level of medical education in the U.S. For over 10 years, Dr. Rohan, Jr. had a prominent spine center on the Florida Gulf Coast with offices in Panama City and Destin before expanding his practice with a new spine care location in Northeast Florida. Dr. Rohan, Jr. has an office in Jacksonville and Middleburg in Clay County. Dr. Rohan, Jr. is referred back pain, neck pain, and spine surgery patients from across the Northeast Florida region, including: Jacksonville; Gainesville; St. Augustine; and the Palm Coast. If you’ve been told you have a herniated disc, or another spine symptom like radiating pain or weakness in an arm or leg, it can be beneficial to get a second opinion for spine surgery from a spine surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery and artificial disc replacement. Dr. Rohan, Jr. is the only spine surgeon in Florida to be included in a national listing of spine centers of excellence by SpineCenterNetwork.com. He is also listed on the national site CentersforArtificialDisc.com.