Statistics showing high numbers of medical and surgical errors have recently been highlighted by US government agencies, medical societies, patient groups, and throughout the media. These errors cause unnecessary human suffering, damage the reputation of the medical community, and dramatically increase costs.

It is the belief of the program directors that all major healthcare stakeholders are obligated to invest their expertise and funds to dramatically enhance patient safety. The 1st Annual Safety in Spine Surgery Month will be part of the solution.

It is the belief of the program directors that all major healthcare stakeholders are obligated to invest their expertise and funds to dramatically enhance patient safety.

Founded and directed by the Safety in Spine Surgery Project (S3P), and chaired by Michael Vitale, MD, the goal of this project is to improve safety in spine surgery by sharing guidelines, techniques, and protocols that make care better, and to share lessons learned from participants who developed specific, successful safety protocols.

This will be accomplished by the partnership of S3P with surgeons, medical professionals, medical device companies, and hospitals.