image: A state-of-the-art surgery room at Jacobs Medical Center at UC San Diego Health where advanced spine and neurological care meets innovation and precision.
Credit: Kyle Dykes, UC San Diego Health
UC San Diego Health has once again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery (ACSS), validating its leadership in delivering top-tier spine and neurological care. This prominent certification reflects the health system’s dedication to patient safety, surgical innovation and ongoing advancements in spine treatment.
UC San Diego Health was the first health organization in California to receive this advanced certification in 2022 and continues to set the benchmark for spine surgery. Since then, the program has standardized treatment protocols across departments, expanded data collection, and enhanced post-operative pain management to further improve patient care. UC San Diego Health continues to provide consultation to other health systems exploring the ACSS, furthering its role as a national leader in spine surgery excellence.
“The Joint Commission’s renewal of this advanced certification confirms our well-earned and sustained national prominence in spine care,” said Patty Maysent, CEO at UC San Diego Health. “From surgical innovations and novel treatments to expanding data-driven decision-making, our world-renowned experts continue to redefine possibilities that elevate health outcomes to enhance the lives of our patients.”
To qualify for ACSS, organizations must adhere to evidence-based care protocols, follow clinical practice guidelines, and actively participate in the American Spine Registry, a national initiative focused on continuous quality improvement in spine care. Additionally, institutions must track and report key performance metrics, including surgical site infection rates, new neurological deficits, unplanned return visits to the operating room, and pre- and post-operative patient-reported outcomes to ensure the highest standards of patient safety and care.
“Earning the ACSS renewal is a testament to the level of highly reliable care we provide, positioning UC San Diego Health as a national leader in spine care,” said Alexander Khalessi, MD, MBA, chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and neurosurgeon at UC San Diego Health. “From minimally invasive robotic surgery to complex spinal reconstructions, our multidisciplinary team combines advanced surgical techniques and leading-edge research to ensure patients receive the best possible care, improving mobility and quality of life. As one of the nation’s leading centers, our teams continue to set the standard.”
Excellence Beyond Spine Surgery: Leading Neurological Care
In addition to its expertise in spine surgery, UC San Diego Health provides a full spectrum of neurological services, consistently ranking among the nation’s best. UC San Diego Health is recognized as the only academic medical center in the region offering a nationally ranked neurology and neurosurgery program. The health system is home to:
- The only health system in San Diego County to have two Comprehensive Stroke Centers, delivering the highest level of stroke care available
- A Level 4 Epilepsy Center, recognized for excellence in diagnosing and treating epilepsy
- The region’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, providing specialized treatment for brain and spinal tumors
- Centers of Excellence in Parkinson’s disease, ALS, multiple sclerosis, and movement disorders
- The county’s first Level 1 Trauma Center, ensuring the most advanced neurotrauma care
These distinctions position UC San Diego Health as the leading referral center for complex neurological and spine disorders, offering patients access to state-of-the-art treatment and research-driven care.
“This recognition is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of our entire spine care team,” said Susan Bukata, MD, chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine and orthopedic surgeon at UC San Diego Health. “By continuously refining our protocols and prioritizing post-operative recovery, we are helping to shape the future of spine surgery.”
The certification, offered in collaboration with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, helps organizations provide consistent communication and collaboration among all health care providers involved in the care of the patient — from the pre-surgical consultation with the surgeon to the intraoperative, hospitalization or ambulatory surgery center admission, rehabilitation activities, to the follow-up visit.
UC San Diego Health underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review in December 2024. During the visit, a Joint Commission reviewer evaluated compliance with related certification standards, including patient cases, surgical outcomes, quality data collection methods and a review of care pathway processes. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewer also conducted onsite observations and interviews.
“ACSS recognizes health care organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer with The Joint Commission. “We commend UC San Diego Health for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.”
UC San Diego Health remains a national leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, as well as other surgical and non-surgical treatments for spinal disorders. The health system has also been designated as a Blue Distinction Center in spine surgery by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, a recognition given to hospitals that demonstrate high-quality results in complex procedures.
According to the 2024-2025 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” survey, UC San Diego Health ranked No. 1 in San Diego and received “Honor Roll” designation, a distinction awarded only to 20 hospitals in the national for exceptional care. Neurology and neurosurgery care ranked 22nd and orthopedics ranked 44th out of more than 4,500 hospitals nationwide.
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