Integrated spine unit officially opens

It’s official! A ribbon cutting commemorated the opening of Barnes-Jewish’s new integrated spine unit (17400) this week. The unit represents the first time all of the hospital’s spine patients will be treated on one unit. Participating in the ceremony, left to right, are: Greg Zipfel, MD, chair of neurosurgery; Mary Spencer, vice president of the neuroscience clinical program; John Lynch, MD, president of Barnes-Jewish Hospital; Angelleen Peters-Lewis, PhD, RN, FAAN, chief operating officer and chief nurse executive; Wilson Zachary Ray, MD, division chief of neurosurgery’s spine surgery; Anna Miller, MD, division chief of orthopedic surgery’s trauma services; Puneet Freibott, DNP, associate chief nursing officer; and Regis O’Keefe, MD, PhD, chair of orthopedic surgery.

Consistent, high-quality care for our spine patients

For the first time, Barnes-Jewish Hospital has created an inpatient nursing unit solely dedicated to the treatment of spine patients. This initiative was announced last year, but the opening was postponed while our care teams responded to our COVID surge.

Spine patients at Barnes-Jewish were previously cared for in two distinct units, depending on the surgeon’s specialty. The integrated unit helps create consistent protocols and care paths, which will help improve the quality of care provided by a dedicated and collaborative team.

Developed in partnership with our Washington University School of Medicine colleagues, the unit is located on the 17th floor, with units 17300-500 caring for three patient populations: integrated spine, general orthopedics and ear, nose, throat, and plastics.

Allison Cecil, BA, BSN, RN, will serve as clinical program manager of the new unit (17400).