SPINE TRIAGE

SPINE ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

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CLICK HERE FOR THE SPINE ASSESSMENT REGISTRATION PAGE

CALEO HEALTH SPINE: A partnership of Spine Surgeons associated with the University of Calgary.  The team also consists of: Spine-Focused Physicians, Physiatrists, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Kinesiologists and other Allied Health Professionals.

Caleo Health is pleased to announce the Enhanced Spine Assessment Program. This program is designed to transform the spine triage process by incorporating structured pre-assessments, proactive patient engagement, and early intervention strategies.

The Orthopedics Care Team comprises nurses and musculoskeletal (MSK) physicians who work in close collaboration with orthopedic surgeons within a comprehensive care model. This team will prioritize early patient engagement, systematic data collection and validation, clinical care delivery, patient guidance, and symptom monitoring for individuals preparing for an in-person spine assessment. The primary objective is to optimize patients for the most appropriate care pathway while enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness, and overall quality of the spine assessment experience.

As part of this enhanced approach, each spine assessment journey will commence with an initial virtual consultation conducted by a nurse. This pre-assessment visit is designed to gather relevant clinical information, identify potential barriers to care, and ensure that patients are adequately prepared and optimized for their in-person spine assessment.

We are a multidisciplinary, patient-centred facility that employs a structured triage model focused on delivering accurate diagnoses and evidence-based treatment recommendations. The assessment process is designed to offer integrated, single-site management of your condition(s), coordinate necessary investigations, and optimize the overall care pathway. To support this approach, Caleo Health has implemented a comprehensive document review and internal triage process for all incoming referrals.

We provide a comprehensive continuum of care, ensuring patients are referred to the most suitable healthcare provider to assist in managing their diagnosed condition.

Why: To address a critical delay in access to multidisciplinary assessment and treatment of spinal diseases and injuries.

What: You have been referred to Caleo Health for an assessment by our multidisciplinary triage team, which includes a spine-focused physician, a physiotherapist or chiropractor, and rehabilitation coordinators. Your file will be reviewed in collaboration with one of our spine surgeons, and, when clinically indicated, you will be referred to the appropriate specialist for further evaluation or treatment. You will not see a surgeon on your first visit.

THE PATIENT JOURNEY

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

STEP 6

REFERRAL

REGISTER ONLINE

eCONSULTATION

ASSESSMENT

DIAGNOSIS

TREATMENT

Based on the historical outcomes data, greater than 50% of spine patients referred to Caleo Health have been determined to be non-surgical.

~ 44% of the spine assessment patients at Caleo Health meet the criteria of a surgical candidate

~ 56% of spine patients are deemed non-surgical

“Urgent” Surgical

2%

“Probable” Surgical

10%

“Routine” Surgical

32%

“Non-Surgical”

56%

PATIENTS THAT HAVE BEEN ASSESSED AND  DEEMED APPROPRIATE FOR SURGICAL INTERVENTION WILL RECEIVE A FORMAL CONSULTATION WITH A SPINE SURGEON.  ROUTINE CONSULTATION WITH THE SPINE SURGEON MAY TAKE 18-24 MONTHS

NON-SURGICAL PATIENTS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH APPROPRIATE TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION(S) AND/OR REFERRAL.

THE INITIAL VISIT TO CALEO HEALTH

The initial visit to Caleo Health focuses on evaluating your most critical area of complaint.  The goal is to provide you and your physician; with the most responsible diagnosis, subsequent care pathway recommendation(s) and/or the referral(s) necessary for the treatment of your spinal condition.

As part of the assessment and management process a referral to one (1) or more of the following may be necessary:

  • Investigational Studies: MRI, X-Ray, CT, etc.
  • Electro-diagnostics: such as EMG or NCS studies.
  • Pain Clinic: Physiatry evaluation & treatment (facet: injections, nerve blocks, etc.)
  •  Allied Health Professional: such as specific/specialized physiotherapy and/or Chiropractic.
  • Medical Specialist:  as deemed necessary by the assessment team
  • Surgical Specialist: further consultation with a surgeon to discuss surgical options.

What you need to know to prepare for your spine assessment at Caleo Health

Patients are required to complete the Spine Assessment registration & make their payment Online before receiving a Spine Assessment appointment with the interdisciplinary team.

Please visit our home page at www.caleohealth.ca and click the orange Get Started button to access the online Spine Assessment sign-up page.

  • Patients should make all attempts to have a copy of all available Disc(s) with relevant X-rays, MRI and CT images prior to the assessment.  You may consider asking your physician’s office to assist you with obtaining the required images.

*We suggest all relevant images be ordered and available at the time of the assessment when possible; including diagnostic images completed at any Alberta Health Services facility.

  • The Spine Assessment will be approximately one hour in length and performed by our interdisciplinary assessment team.  Please dress comfortably.
  • FEE:  There is a fee of $300.00 charged to the patient for the initial appointment.  The assessment is only covered in part by your Provincial Health Insurance (i.e. Alberta Health).

  • The assessment is performed with a physiotherapist or chiropractor as part of the assessment team.  Physiotherapy and Chiropractic assessments are uninsured services through Albert Health. The fee you are required to pay is for uninsured services only.  It is the responsibility of the patient to cover the cost of all uninsured services.
  • TO AVOID A NO-SHOW OR LATE CANCELLATION FEE A MINIMUM OF 48 HOURS NOTICE IS REQUIRED TO CHANGE OR CANCEL AN APPOINTMENT.

Changing or cancelling appointments in a timely manner allows for appointments to be filled efficiently and reduce wait times for others. Your cooperation is appreciated.  Thank you!

Our surgeons accept direct referrals from community-based physicians and access to a surgeon is not limited to only those that pay the fee.   However, the direct route may take up to 24 months for referrals to be seen in consult unless the surgeon is confident that this is an urgent surgical matter.  Approximately 80% of patients referred directly to a surgeon by their family physician are deemed non-surgical.   The result is a significant delay in access to spine care for patients that are truly surgical and frustration for non-surgical patients that have waited long periods with no outcome.

Individual surgeons have the right to decline direct referrals from time to time to manage their waitlists.  A surgeon may also decline a referral if there is no clear indication that the patient will benefit from surgical intervention.

The triage and assessment process is in place to assist non-surgical patients with obtaining timely treatment recommendations and access to the appropriate care pathways.  The process also serves to determine the urgency of a surgical patient so that care is not delayed for patients with urgent conditions.

Invoices for uninsured services will be provided and you may submit them to your extended healthcare plan. Payments can be made by: Credit Card or Debit; we do not accept personal cheques.