and analysis of variance. A p-value !0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Intra-operative waste occurred in 20.2% of the procedures prior to the educational program and in 10.3% of the procedures after the implementation of the program (p!.0001). Monthly costs associated with surgical waste were, on average $17680,29 prior to the awareness intervention, and $5876.87 afterwards (p5.0006). Prior to the intervention, surgical waste represented 4.3% of total operative spine budget. After the awareness program this proportion decrease to an average of 1.2% (p5.003). Further analysis of our results showed that the most common reason for waste was ‘‘Surgeon changed mind’’ and that this was the main driver of the cost burden. Surgical implants were the type of item associated with a higher cost per item wasted. The awareness program was successful in decreasing the cost burden associated with intraoperative waste by 66%. We achieved these results by decreasing the proportion of implants wasted (44.11% to 24.48%, p!.0001), and decreasing the incidence of surgeons’ change of mind (42.20% to 24.10%, p!.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative waste in spine surgery exacerbates the already costly procedures. Extrapolation of this data to the national level leads to an annual estimate of $126,722,000.00 attributable to intra-operative spine waste. A simple educational program proved to be and continues to be effective in making surgeons aware of the import of their choices and the costs related to surgical waste. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS: This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.