Shriners Children’s Philadelphia Receives Highest Level of Musculoskeletal Surgical Verification

Shriners Children's Philadelphia was recently named one of only three pediatric hospitals nationwide to earn Level I Specialty Musculoskeletal Center designation from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Children's Surgery Verification Program. The Level I designation, which is the highest level of surgical verification awarded by ACS, recognizes Shriners Children's Philadelphia as one of the premier institutions for pediatric musculoskeletal care in the country.

Level I Specialty Children's Surgery-Musculoskeletal verification requires pediatric hospitals to meet strict standards, demonstrating that patients receiving surgery receive care under a multidisciplinary program while ensuring safety standards and processes, meticulous data collection, high-quality improvement and appropriate surgical resources. The verification followed an extensive review of hospital structure, processes and outcomes conducted by a team of ACS surveyors including experienced pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses.

Shriners Children's Philadelphia Director of Performance Improvement & Risk Management Leslie Usher said every department in the hospital worked together to earn Level 1 verification. The four-year process included compiling over 100 pages of material documenting how Shriners Children's Philadelphia staff treats patients in an exemplary manner, and how the facility aims to keep improving in the future. Members of the American College of Surgeons team also traveled to Shriners Children's Philadelphia to get a firsthand look at their work.

"Our surgeons are world-renowned, and the outcomes of their operations are so positive and groundbreaking," Usher said. "Our surgeries are life-changing for patients. We've had a patient go from a significant scoliosis curve of 150 degrees to standing up straight after a spine fusion. One of our patients went from being paralyzed to walking out at discharge after coming to us, despite other facilities turning her down because of the complexity of her case. Not only do we provide a world-class level of expertise in musculoskeletal care, but we do it regardless of a family's ability to pay or insurance status, and with compassion. The heart of our mission drives us forward."

Usher noted that orthopedic surgeons at Shriners Children's Philadelphia perform procedures rarely seen elsewhere, using highly specialized techniques grounded in extensive research. That commitment to research was a key area in which the hospital excelled during the ACS verification process. The hospital treats a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including complex spine disorders, upper and lower extremity differences, gait abnormalities, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, clubfoot and more.

Usher said compiling all of the data for the verification process had an added benefit of reminding their entire team of the magnitude of life-changing work they do.

"Day-to-day at Shriners Children's, you lose track of all the amazing things we're doing," Usher said. "When we really dug into it and looked at our metrics, patient satisfaction and the quality of our care, we're performing at such a high caliber. It's just amazing to see. Operationally, our surgeries are producing outstanding results, and we're setting these children up for the future. From research to anesthesia to surgery to rehab, we're accounting for every single step. Very few organizations do this to such a high standard. One patient isn't just siloed under the care of one person, and it really sets us apart."

For the nonprofit healthcare system, the verification signifies that missions and values are being fulfilled. The Level 1 designation also highlights to parents the level of care their child will receive, and gives referring providers confidence when sending their patient to Shriners Children's. As just the third in the nation to receive this honor, Shriners Children's Philadelphia is set apart as a place to receive this caliber of musculoskeletal care.