January / February 2020 Issue of Becker's Spine Review
ON THE COVER
Is robotics part of the future of spine? 4 surgeons on where they stand
Hospitals across the U.S. have been incorporating spinal robots that were designed to increase surgical precision.
PE firm invests in The Steadman Clinic after new affiliation: 5 key points
The Steadman Clinic partnered with a private equity-backed orthopedic practice company.
10 devicemakers with highest payouts to physicians, hospitals — Zimmer Biomet is No. 1
The world's biggest medical device companies made more than $542.6 million in general payments to physicians and hospitals in 2018, according to MassDevice's analysis of the Medical Design & Outsourcing Big 100 list and CMS Open Payments data.
3-group merger to create $144M spine, orthopedic and pain hospital
ThedaCare is merging with Appleton-based Hand to Shoulder Center of Wisconsin and Neenah, Wis.-based Neuroscience Group to form a spine, orthopedic and pain hospital in Appleton, reports Fox 11 News.
Dent Neurologic Institute, U at Buffalo open 1st phase of $40M spine center — 5 insights
Amherst, N.Y.-based Dent Neurologic Institute and the University at Buffalo (N.Y.) cut the ribbon and opened the first phase of their multiyear joint venture Comprehensive Neuroscience Center in Amherst Nov. 14, local ABC affiliate WKBW reports.
CMS removes 6 spinal procedures from inpatient-only list
CMS removed six spinal procedures from the inpatient-only list in the CY 2020 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System Final Rule, issued Nov. 1.
SPINE SURGEONS
Dr. Robert Brady: How the 2020 CMS final rule will affect the spine field
CMS removed six spinal procedures from the inpatient-only list in the CY 2020 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System Final Rule, issued Nov. 1.
Dr. Kern Singh aims to make 85%-90% of his spine practice outpatient in 2020
Kern Singh, MD, co-director of the Minimally Invasive Spine Institute at Rush in Chicago, discusses his big areas of focus for 2020.
Is robotics part of the future of spine? 4 surgeons on where they stand
Hospitals across the U.S. have been incorporating spinal robots that were designed to increase surgical precision.
State-by-state breakdown of spine, neurosurgeon moves in 2019
The following is a list of spine and neurosurgeons that joined new practices or hospitals in the past year.
CMS removes 6 spinal procedures from inpatient-only list
CMS removed six spinal procedures from the inpatient-only list in the CY 2020 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System Final Rule, issued Nov. 1.
DEVICES & IMPLANTS
Judge declines to bar former NuVasive employee from taking clients to Alphatec Spine
Stryker bets on extremities, to buy Wright Medical for $5.4B: 5 key notes
Stryker receives FDA clearance for 3D-printed expandable interbody device — 4 things to know
The FDA granted Stryker FDA 510(k) clearance for its Sahara Lateral 3D expandable interbody system.
Stryker's acquisition of Wright Medical may face antitrust issues: 3 quick notes
Needham & Company Senior Analyst Mike Matson reported Stryker's plan to acquire Wright Medical Group will face antitrust issues, according to a report from Seeking Alpha.
MIS SI joint fusions to see 27% rate increase by CMS in 2020: 4 details
The 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule includes a significant increase for minimally invasive SI joint fusions.
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
Massachusetts General Hospital pays $13M settlement to orthopaedic surgeon over wrongful termination allegations
Dennis Burke, MD, a former orthopedic surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, will receive a $13 million settlement following his wrongful termination lawsuit, The Boston Globe reports.
Spinal fusion devices market to hit $8.45B by 2026 — 4 takeaways
The spinal fusion devices market is expected to reach $8.45 billion by 2026, according to a market report by Fortune Business Insights.
New York ortho practice leaves Mount Sinai, partners with Health Plus Management — 4 insights
Cedarhurst, N.Y.-based South Island Orthopedics is forsaking its affiliation with Mount Sinai Health System and joining Health Plus Management group, Crain's New York reports.
How OrthoNY is trying to solve its recruiting problem
When it came to recruiting, Albany, N.Y.-based OrthoNY had issues competing with nearby New York City — so much so that COO Michele Brinkman had to think outside the box, the Albany Business Journal reports.
OUTPATIENT SURGERY
Jury awards $1.6M to Iowa surgery center in anti-competition case
Pierce Street Same Day Surgery was awarded $1.6 million in damages after a jury ruled that its CEO conspired with a competing physician group to develop a new surgery center, the Sioux City Journal reports.
These specialties are still great for ASCs
There are a number of specialties ASC leaders are optimistic about moving forward, according to panelists who attended the Becker's ASC 26th annual meeting in Chicago.
Hospitals favoring physicians as ASC partners: 4 survey details
Joint ventures with physicians are hospitals' preferred method for opening ASCs, according to a survey from outpatient healthcare group Avanza Healthcare Strategies.
As hospitals plan to sue, physician organization applauds new HHS price transparency rule
The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons came out in support of the price transparency rules finalized Nov. 15 by the Trump administration.
Real estate firm pays $56.1M for Missouri medical office building, orthopedic practice — 3 insights
MB Real Estate Advisors acquired a medical office building and orthopedic center, spanning 184,181 square feet, for $56.1 million, Commercial Property Executive reports.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
Average hospital expenses per inpatient day across 50 states
Below are the adjusted expenses per inpatient day in 2016, organized by hospital ownership type, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, according to the latest statistics from Kaiser State Health Facts.
Arizona hospital closure will result in 655 layoffs
Dallas-based Steward Health Care will close St. Luke's Medical Center in Phoenix on Nov. 24.
10 things to know about Project Nightingale
St. Louis-based Ascension and Google have made headlines over the past few weeks over Project Nightingale," an initiative designed to gather patient data to create healthcare solutions.