Back breaking business: the implementation of a spinal education program.

Patients with potential or confirmed spinal injuries are challenging for hospitals delivering care for trauma patients. In order to minimize further injury and complications, to maximize positive patient outcomes and to reduce length of stay, efficient and effective methods of caring for such patients are required. The purpose of this paper is to describe the creation and implementation of a "Spinal Education Program" at a Level I trauma center in Canada. It was designed to teach a large group of health care professionals how to care for patients with potential or confirmed spinal injuries in a comprehensive and consistent manner.