Back and neck pain can be disruptive and stressful—but at Baptist Health System, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our Spine Nurse Navigator Program offers free, personalized support after your Emergency Department visit to help guide your recovery every step of the way.
What Is Spine Navigation?
Spine Navigation is a patient-centered care program designed for individuals with musculoskeletal spine conditions. It ensures timely, coordinated care following discharge from the Emergency Department through follow-up treatment—at no cost to you.
You’ll get help understanding your care options, accessing needed providers and removing obstacles to care.
How We Help You
After your Emergency Department discharge, a Spine Nurse Navigator will:
Contact you directly to assess your needs within two business days. Also, you are welcome to reach out by phone or email (see contact information)
Discuss appropriate care plan options
Coordinate appointments with:
Primary Care Providers
Physical Therapists
Pain Management Specialists
Spine Surgeons
Offer emotional support and advocacy
Help overcome barriers to care
Ensure timely follow-up and continuity of care
Key Benefits of the Spine Navigation Program
Streamlined Patient Experience: Patients receive coordinated support throughout their spine care journey, with the goal of helping each individual feel informed, prepared and supported.
Improved Care Coordination: Navigation promotes communication between patients and the care team – primary care, specialists, therapy, imaging and surgical services, with the goal of reducing delays and missed steps.
Timely Access to Appropriate Care: Navigators help connect patients to needed providers or services based on their individual needs, with the goal of helping avoid unnecessary appointments or treatments
Enhanced Patient Engagement and Satisfaction: Our goal as navigators is to be a consistent point of contact for patients, standing ready to answer questions, clarify expectations and provide reassurance throughout the spine care journey.
Key Patients (to include, but not excluded to)
Our program is for patients with:
Acute back or neck pain
Chronic back or neck pain
Sciatica and/or radicular pain
Cervical or lumbar disc herniation
Lumbosacral strain/sprain
Spinal Stenosis (without red flag symptoms)
Candidates for Physical Therapy
Red Flag Spine Symptoms — Go to the ED Immediately If You Experience:
Loss of Bowel or Bladder Control
Inability to urinate or hold urine
Loss of bowel control or new incontinence → Could indicate cauda equina syndrome, a surgical emergency.
Saddle Anesthesia
Numbness or tingling in the inner thighs, buttocks, or perineum → Also a key symptom of cauda equina syndrome.
Sudden, Severe Weakness
New weakness in the legs or arms
Difficulty walking or standing → May signal nerve root or spinal cord compression.
Progressive Neurologic Deficits
Numbness, tingling, or weakness that worsens over hours or days
Unexplained Fever + Back Pain
Especially if combined with IV drug use, recent surgery, or known infection → Could suggest spinal infection (e.g., epidural abscess).
Recent Trauma
Fall, accident, or injury—especially in elderly or those with osteoporosis → Risk of vertebral fracture or instability.
History of Cancer + New Spine Pain
Especially with night pain, weight loss, or no relief with rest → Possible sign of metastatic disease.
Severe Night Pain or Constant Pain Unrelated to Movement
Pain that doesn't improve with rest or changes in position → Can be a red flag for infection or tumor.
If any of these symptoms are present, the patient should not wait for outpatient follow-up and should be directed to the nearest Emergency Department immediately.
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Tina Stolhandske, RN, BSN Spine Nurse Navigator | Baptist Health System Tina Stolhandske is a dedicated Registered Nurse and the founding Spine Nurse Navigator at Baptist Health System. Since 2024, she’s played a key role in building this unique program designed to support patients experiencing back pain after a visit and discharge from the Emergency Department. With over 17 years of experience in orthopedics and outpatient surgery, Tina is passionate about guiding patients through their journey toward better spine health. She connects with patients through a physician-initiated pathway, helping them understand their options, connect with the right care, and feel supported every step of the way. Before joining Baptist, Tina served in leadership roles including Pre-Op Team Lead at TSAOG Orthopaedics & Spine. Her background includes preoperative and post-anesthesia care, staff training, managing patient-related concerns, improving physician relations, and patient education. Tina earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas School of Nursing at Houston. A former collegiate athlete at Texas Lutheran University, she brings the same dedication, teamwork, and energy to her nursing practice. Above all, Tina is an advocate for her patients—helping them feel heard, informed, and empowered.
