July 2022 Issue of Becker's Spine Review
ON THE COVER
16 hospitals receive Healthgrades' Spine Surgery State awards
Healthgrades honored 16 hospitals across four states with its 2022 Spine Surgery State Ranking Award.
4 spine technologies that promised more than they delivered
Innovation moves at a rapid pace in spine surgery, but hype and marketing around new technologies can sometimes get in front of the science, resulting in less than optimal outcomes for patients and significant steps backward for the technology.
Colorado Supreme Court rejects hospital's bid to enforce $229K spine surgery bill
A spine surgery patient will not be on the hook for a $229,112 medical bill at Westminster-based St. Anthony North Health Campus, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled May 16.
Spine surgeons' biggest threats
Fighting for the approval of minimally invasive alternatives to spinal fusion; non-surgeons performing certain spine procedures; and insurers too often dictating care decisions are some of the biggest threats to spine surgeons today, three specialists told Becker's.
How the 'Neiman Marcus' of spine practices plans to compete with large groups, MSOs
While some practices are looking to expand across state lines, Spine Center Atlanta plans to focus on the Georgia market, founder and spine surgeon James Chappuis, MD, said.
Robotic spine company with $1B in cash open to M&A opportunities
With about $1 billion in cash on its balance sheet, Globus Medical is looking to explore strategic partnerships that could capitalize on some weaknesses in the medtech market, according to the company's first-quarter earnings call, transcribed by The Motley Fool.
30K 'unnecessary' spine surgeries performed in 1st year of pandemic: study
Hospitals performed more than 100,000 "unnecessary" procedures on older Americans in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, including 30,094 spine surgeries, according to a May analysis published by the Lown Institute.
Texas spine surgeon's $11M verdict being appealed
A spine surgeon in Plano, Texas, who won an $11 million verdict over stolen medical records and false malpractice accusations will face an appeal, The Dallas Morning News reported June 6.
Spine device could get up to $9,800 Medicare payment boost
CMS has granted its new technology add-on payment to SI-Bone's iFuse Bedrock Granite implant, which received the FDA's breakthrough device designation in November and is designed for sacroiliac fusion and sacropelvic fixation.
How Walmart, CVS Health will affect spine care: 4 surgeon insights
Retail giants such as Walmart and CVS Health are continuing their push into healthcare, offering cost-friendly and convenient care close to patients' homes, and more providers are taking notice.
SPINE
Spine surgeons' biggest threats
Fighting for the approval of minimally invasive alternatives to spinal fusion; non-surgeons performing certain spine procedures; and insurers too often dictating care decisions are some of the biggest threats to spine surgeons today, three specialists told Becker's.
Unnecessary spine cases spur class action lawsuit
A class action lawsuit alleges two former neurosurgeons from Renton-based Providence Health & Services Washington harmed hundreds of patients through unnecessary cases.
Colorado Supreme Court rejects hospital's bid to enforce $229K spine surgery bill
A spine surgery patient will not be on the hook for a $229,112 medical bill at Westminster-based St. Anthony North Health Campus, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled May 16.
4 spine technologies that promised more than they delivered
Innovation moves at a rapid pace in spine surgery, but hype and marketing around new technologies can sometimes get in front of the science, resulting in less than optimal outcomes for patients and significant steps backward for the technology.
Dr. Robert Watkins performs lumbar discectomy on Las Vegas hockey player
Robert Watkins IV, MD, operated on Las Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone, the team said May 19.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
How Walmart, CVS Health will affect spine care: 4 surgeon insights
Retail giants such as Walmart and CVS Health are continuing their push into healthcare, offering cost-friendly and convenient care close to patients' homes, and more providers are taking notice.
How the 'Neiman Marcus' of spine practices plans to compete with large groups, MSOs
While some practices are looking to expand across state lines, Spine Center Atlanta plans to focus on the Georgia market, founder and spine surgeon James Chappuis, MD, said.
The questions private equity still needs to answer
As private equity attracts many spine and orthopedic practices, there are still questions left unanswered about the long-term viability of investments.
5 lessons from Hospital for Special Surgery's CEO on building a great organization
Louis Shapiro, president and CEO of New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery, outlined the five focuses that can help make an organization great for the "Becker's Healthcare Spine and Orthopedic Podcast" May 25.
'We're at a perfect size now': EmergeOrtho sets sights on MSOs, clinically integrated networks
In 2016, four orthopedic groups merged to form Durham, N.C.-based EmergeOrtho, which added a fifth group the following year. Since then, the statewide orthopedic group has expanded to more than 140 physicians and 46 locations.
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
Maryland spine group adds Texas practice, now has more than 130 locations
Rockville, Md.-based National Spine & Pain Centers has added Dallas Pain Consultants to its portfolio, increasing its network to more than 130 locations in 13 states, according to a May 5 news release from National Spine & Pain Centers.
US Orthopaedic Partners acquires 23-physician practice
Huntsville, Ala.-based SportsMed Orthopedic Surgery & Spine Center is the latest practice to join U.S. Orthopaedic Partners, a private equity-backed management services organization.
Spine group expands presence in Florida Walmart locations
The Back Space will launch two locations in the Orlando area in Florida following a pilot program for retail spine care.
Minnesota orthopedic group hit with $111M negligence verdict
A jury has awarded a man more than $111 million in damages as a result of alleged negligent care provided by Sartell, Minn.-based St. Cloud Orthopedic Associates in relation to surgery on his left leg, according to documents filed with the U.S. District Court for Minnesota on May 17.
Campbell Clinic spine surgeon named president of orthopedic society
The Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America has named Jeffrey Sawyer, MD, as the next president of the society, stepping into the role in 2023.
DEVICES & IMPLANTS
Robotic spine company with $1B in cash open to M&A opportunities
With about $1 billion in cash on its balance sheet, Globus Medical is looking to explore strategic partnerships that could capitalize on some weaknesses in the medtech market, according to the company's first-quarter earnings call, transcribed by The Motley Fool.
Competitors challenge Medtronic's lead in the spine robot market
More than a decade after the first spine surgical robot was launched, Medtronic is still considered the market leader, but smaller device companies could chip away at its market share as they launch their own platforms and adoption increases among surgeons.
Stryker spinal imaging system gets FDA clearance
Stryker's Q guidance system received FDA 510(k) clearance for spine surgery applications.
Spine device could get up to $9,800 Medicare payment boost
CMS has granted its new technology add-on payment to SI-Bone's iFuse Bedrock Granite implant, which received the FDA's breakthrough device designation in November and is designed for sacroiliac fusion and sacropelvic fixation.
Spinal robotics company forging new path after spiking $482M plan to go public
Minimally invasive spine device company Accelus is making a "strategic pivot" after it scrapped a previous deal to go public by merging with a special purpose acquisition company.
ASC
Next-gen spine robots are targeting ASCs
Two of the biggest drawbacks of spine surgical robots are their size and cost, but the next generation of robots are addressing these challenges to encourage their adoption at ASCs.
UC Davis to build $579M outpatient surgery center
UC Davis (Calif.) Health is planning a $579 million outpatient surgery center at its Sacramento, Calif., campus, which it expects to build by 2025, The Sacramento Bee reported June 2.
22-physician orthopedic group to build $18.7M ASC
The Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics has begun building an $18.7 million surgery center in Tyler, Tenn., the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported May 24.
10 ASC companies ranked by number of surgery centers
Dallas-based United Surgical Partners International and Nashville, Tenn.-based AmSurg rank No. 1 and No. 2 as ASC companies with the most surgery centers.
The Orthopaedic Institute buys stake in ValueHealth ASC in Florida
Private equity-backed practice management company Orthopedic Care Partners is buying an ownership stake in value-based care company ValueHealth's ASC in The Villages, Fla.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
A new C-suite position is rising in popularity
More organizations are looking to consolidate the responsibility for organizing and implementing strategic initiatives and transformation into one C-suite leader, the newly created chief project officer, The Harvard Business Review reported April 26.
$20M ASC moves forward despite health system opposition
Mobile, Ala.-based USA Health on May 24 broke ground on a 25,000-square-foot surgery center in Fairhope, Ala., according to al.com.
400-physician practice votes to join Duke Health after suit alleging takeover
Durham, N.C.-based Private Diagnostic Clinic has voted to dissolve and join Duke Health, ending a legal dispute alleging Duke was trying to take over the practice, Triangle Business Journal reported May 13.
The Great Resignation for healthcare workers is unique, and so are its solutions
The Great Resignation hit healthcare workers in a unique way, with abuse, misinformation and death and trauma on a massive scale — all affecting their ability to do their jobs safely.
HCA acquires Virginia urgent care chain with 12 locations
Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare has finalized its acquisition of BetterMed, an urgent care practice with 12 locations, Richmond BizSense reported June 3.