Standardizing Preoperative Care for Elective Spine Surgery: The University of Oklahoma Elective Spine Surgery Protocol.

Abstract

As rates of spinal surgery in the United States continue to rise, the field has undergone a paradigm shift towards standardized, evidence-based care aimed at optimizing surgical outcomes. Indeed, numerous Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have emerged and demonstrated significant success in improving outcomes in spinal surgery. In this article, we present a preoperative optimization protocol for elective spinal surgery from our own institution, which is in a state with notoriously high rates of comorbidities relative to the rest of the nation. This standardized protocol addresses six critical aspects of patient care: preoperative evaluation, bone health, diabetes, nutritional status, social risk factors, and medical comorbidities. By targeting these pillars of preoperative evaluation and management in an evidence-based, standardized manner, our protocol aims to enhance patient safety, minimize complications, and optimize the overall quality of care for our elective spinal surgery patients. In doing so, this protocol meets the growing demand for improved patient care in the expanding field of spinal surgery and lays the foundation for future advancements in elective spine protocols, thus contributing to the ongoing pursuit of optimized surgical outcomes and overall quality of care in the field.