July / August 2018 Issue of Becker's Spine Review
ON THE COVER
20 minimally invasive spine products to know | 2018
Spinal technology is evolving rapidly around minimally invasive techniques to perform more precise, less disruptive procedures. Device companies big and small aim to advance the field through innovative implant materials, techniques and technology that will make procedures more precise and patient-specific. Click here to continue.
How to grow a successful independent spine practice
Four spine surgeons answer tough questions on how to build and sustain a successful practice in today's changing healthcare environment. Click here to continue.
7 spine device company powerhouses: What are they up to in 2018?
The global spinal surgery devices market will reach $13 billion by 2022, according to a Wise Guy Reports analysis. Click here to continue.
DISC Sports & Spine Center creates bundled payment with Global One, Blue Shield to offer — 5 things to know
Newport Beach, Calif.-based DISC Sports & Spine Center entered a partnership with Global One and Blue Shield to form a bundled payment model. Click here to continue.
4 spine surgeons make predictions on the future of minimally invasive spinal fusion
Spine surgery continues to become more complex, but as surgeons take on more intricate cases, technology advances to assist. Click here to continue.
AANS appoints 1st female neurosurgeon president: 4 highlights
Shelly Timmons, MD, is the American Association of Neurological Surgeons’ new president. Click here to continue.
Dr. James Sanfilippo performs the most spinal fusions in New Jersey, highest successful discharge rate
Between January 2013 and December 2016, James Sanfilippo, MD, of Reconstructive Orthopedics in Vineland, N.J., performed the highest number of spinal fusion procedures in the state. Click here to continue.
Spine surgeon collected $847K from Medicare after surrendering license — And he’s not alone: 5 things to know
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently revealed now-deceased spine surgeon Cyril Raben, MD, continued practicing medicine after surrendering his license and collected thousands from Medicare before his death. Click here to continue.
Jury awards $4.5M over misplaced pedicle screw during spine surgery: 5 things to know
On April 6, a Union County, N.J., jury awarded a plaintiff $4.5 million over a botched spine surgery. Click here to continue.
Alaska neurosurgeon embroiled in photo lawsuit settles a spine malpractice case —5 things to know.
On May 9, 2018, neurosurgeon Louis Kralick, MD, of Anchorage Neurosurgical Associates, settled a malpractice lawsuit concerning a spine procedure performed in 2013, according to KTVA. Click here to continue.
Jury sides with spine surgeon in case of off-label use of Medtronic’s Infuse: 6 things to knowspineJury sides with spine surgeon in case of off-label use of Medtronic’s Infuse: 6 things to know
A Los Angeles County jury found William Dobkin, MD, of Newport Beach, Calif.-based Hoag Hospital, not negligent in a case involving the off-label use of Medtronic’s Infuse, according to Courtroom View Network. Click here to continue.
Top New York spine surgeon leaves to join North Carolina program: 5 notes
Syracuse, N.Y.-based Crouse Hospital surgeon Eric Deshaies, MD, is leaving the hospital to direct a spine program in Charlotte, N.C., according to Syracuse.com.Click here to continue.
Porter Adventist spine surgeon halts surgery mid-procedure due to contaminated tools: 5 insights
The same day the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment released its disease control investigation at Denver- based Porter Adventist Hospital, a spine surgeon stopped surgery mid-procedure due to allegedly dirty equipment, according to 9 News. Click here to continue.
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
DISC Sports & Spine Center creates bundled payment with Global One, Blue Shield to offer in-network services — 5 things to know
Newport Beach, Calif.-based DISC Sports & Spine Center entered a partnership with Global One and Blue Shield to form a bundled payment model. Click here to continue.
Regent, 14 physicians unveil new total joint, spine ASC — 5 things to know
Regent Surgical Health based in Westchester, Ill., and 14 physicians opened the Oregon Surgical Institute in Beaverton. Click here to continue.
The Orthopaedic Institute appoints new CEO, CFO & COO
Gainesville, Fla.-based The Orthopaedic Institute made several changes to its executive leadership team. Click here to continue.
Orthopedic surgeon charged with murder of Stryker sales rep in South Carolina: 5 things to know murderOrthopedic surgeon charged with murder of Stryker sales rep in South Carolina: 5 things to know
South Carolina-based orthopedic surgeon Adam Lazzarini, MD, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and obstructing justice after a CrossLink Orthopaedics/Stryker sales representative died of a gunshot wound in Dr. Lazzarini’s home October 2017, according to The State. Click here to continue.
Rothman Institute, Independence Blue Cross partner to expand bundled payments: 4 insights
Philadelphia-based Rothman Institute partnered with Independence Blue Cross, according to Philly.com. Click here to continue.
Orthopedic surgeon salary in the UK, Canada & Australia
The average U.S. orthopedic specialist salary is $497,000, according to the Medscape Orthopedist Compensation Report 2018. Click here to continue.
How to grow a successful independent spine practice: 4 key questions
Four spine surgeons answered tough questions on how to build and sustain a successful practice in today’s chang¬ing healthcare environment. Click here to continue.
Memorial Health lays off 85 employees with push toward spine, joint focus: 3 takeawayspushMemorial Health lays off 85 employees with push toward spine, joint focus: 3 takeawaysspineMemorial Health lays off 85 employees with push toward spine, joint focus: 3 takeaways
During the first week of May, Savannah, Ga.-based Memorial Uni¬versity Medical Center laid off 85 employees, WTVM reports. Click here to continue.
Dr. James Andrews ranks as No. 7 richest physician in the world
Physicians from all specialties build reputations for them¬selves and often as reputations climb, net worth and com-pensation also increases. Click here to continue.
Dr. Richard Rothman retires from surgery at 81, but still plans on a 60-hour work week — 3 insights
With 50 years of experience and up to 50,000 joint replacements performed, Richard Roth¬man, MD, PhD, retired from surgery at 81 years of age, according to Philly.com. Click here to continue.
ISASS contracts with AAOS management services program: 4 key points
The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery contracted with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ manage¬ment services program to manage the organization. Click here to continue.
20 minimally invasive spine products to know | 2018
Spinal technology is evolving rapidly around minimally invasive techniques to perform more precise, less disruptive procedures. Device companies big and small aim to advance the field through innovative implant materials, techniques and technology that will make procedures more precise and patient-specific. Click here to continue.
The future of spine technology: 13 surgeon predictions
Spine technology is always evolving to provide better value-based care options. Click here to continue.
7 spine device company powerhouses: What are they up to in 2018?
The global spinal surgery devices market is expected to reach $13 billion by 2022, according to a Wise Guy Reports analysis. Click here to continue.
NuVasive Precise Stryde System used in 1st patient: 5 highlights1stNuVasive Precise Stryde System used in 1st patient: 5 highlights
Dror Paley, MD, became the first physician to use NuVasive’s Precise Stryde System for stature lengthening. Click here to continue.
Medtronic launches 3D printing platform for titanium spinal implants: 4 insights
Medtronic launched TiONIC Technology, a tita¬nium 3D printed platform for spinal implants, at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting in New Orleans May 1. Click here to continue.
The key to successful spine cases in an ASC + key trends in outpatient spine
Gary P. Cram Jr., MD, of Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates in Charlotte, N.C., and medical director of Greensboro (N.C.) Specialty Surgery Center, an affiliate of Surgical Care Affiliates, discusses outpatient spine protocols and procedures, and what to expect in the future. Click here to continue.
3 things to know about Xenco Medical’s SETx Technology
Xenco Medical’s single-use spinal implants are based on the company’s patented SETx Technology. Click here to continue.
Here are the top 26 outpatient procedures – No. 1 topped the list by a landslide
Physicians performed nearly 113 million routine venipunctures in 2016, making that the most popular outpatient procedure that year, according to Definitive Healthcare data from Medicare claims. Click here to continue.
Study finds fewer adverse events after treatment at ASCs vs. HOPDs — 6 takeaways
Patients treated in an ambulatory surgery center are less likely to be admitted to a hospital or visit an emergency room in a short period after outpatient surgery, according to an independent study published in the Journal of Health Economics. Click here to continue.
Why outpatient spine centers can have lower infection rates than hospitals
Outpatient centers can be a great alternative for inpatient surgery for the right candidate. Studies have shown outpatient surgery costs less and leads to the same outcomes as inpatient surgery. Click here to continue.
Houston Pain and Spine Hospital unexpectedly closes, lays off 63 people — 5 things to know
Houston-based U.S. Pain & Spine Hospital closed its inpatient hospital care without warn¬ing, according to an ABC 13 report. Click here to continue.
CMS publishes procedural coding changes — 392 new codes for 2019
CMS released ICD-10-PCS updates for hospital inpatient coding profes¬sionals to use for discharges from Oct. 1, 2018 through Sept. 30, 2019. Click here to continue.
NCamberNCamber Spine receives FDA clearance for titanium ALIF device: 3 insights
From 2009 to 2015, almost 50 percent of newly opened am¬bulatory surgery centers have closed, according to 2015 Advisory Board data. Click here to continue.
GNS Surgery Center installs robot for spine surgery — Among 1st ASC of many?robotGNS Surgery Center installs robot for spine surgery — Among 1st ASC of many?
Athens, Ga.-based GNS Surgery Center, a United Surgical Partners International affiliate, installed the Mazor Robotics Renaissance system and completed the first procedure. Click here to continue.
NueHealth, Rothman Institute, Jefferson Health joint venture plans to reopen ASC, double case volume to 4K — 6 highlights
NueHealth partnered with Rothman Institute, Jefferson Health and 14 multi¬specialty physicians to acquire the Plymouth Meeting, Pa.-based Blue Bell Surgery Center. Click here to continue.
3 ASCs, Cigna settle alleged ERISA violation suit
Cigna settled a lawsuit accusing three centers of violating the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, according to Law 360. Click here to continue.
Spine surgeon Dr. Johnny Benjamin found guilty, faces possibility of life in prisonpossibilitySpine surgeon Dr. Johnny Benjamin found guilty, faces possibility of life in prison
A jury found Vero Beach, Fla., spine surgeon Johnny Benjamin, MD, guilty of five counts of felony, the Sebas¬tian Daily reports. Click here to continue.
Camber Spine receives FDA clearance for titanium ALIF device: 3 insights
Camber Spine received FDA 510(k) clearance to market its ENZA-A Titanium Anterior Lum¬bar Interbody Fusion system, a minimally invasive interbody fusion device for integrated fixation. Click here to continue.
Nurse awarded $28M in retaliation suit against Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
A jury awarded a Haitian-American nurse $28 million May 23 in a lawsuit against Boston-based Brigham and Women’s Hospital alleging discrimination and retaliation, according to The Boston Globe. Click here to continue.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center points to Epic rollout for 60% drop in operating income
Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt University Medical Center saw revenues increase in the first nine months of fiscal year 2018, but the hospital ended the period with lower operating income. Click here to continue.
New York Hospital reportedly pays CEO $660K to ‘disappear’
The former CEO of Syracuse, N.Y.-based SUNY Upstate Medical University reportedly entered into an agree¬ment with the hospital to resign and continue earning his chief executive $660,500 annual salary for one year, according to syracuse.com. Click here to continue.
Physicians: Is CHS ‘a slow-motion train wreck?’
It has been abour one year since Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems rejected a group of physicians’ takeover bid for Lutheran Health Network in Fort Wayne, Ind. Click here to continue.
New York City physician sues former patient for $1M over negative Yelp reviewformerNew York City physician sues former patient for $1M over negative Yelp review
Joon Song, MD, an OB-GYN in New York City, has filed a $1 million lawsuit against a former patient who posted negative reviews of the physician online, according to CBS New York. Click here to continue.
Nurse accused of stealing more than $550K from New York hospital
A nurse in New York City faces felony charges for allegedly stealing more than $550,000 from Interfaith Medical Center, a nonprofit hospital in Brooklyn, and defrauding Medicaid of more than $30,000, according to Acting New York Attorney Gen-eral Barbara D. Underwood. Click here to continue.
University Hospitals launches bundled payment program with Walmart
Walmart has con¬tracted with Uni¬versity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center for a bundled payment pro¬gram for joint replacement procedures and orthopedic care for Walmart employees and their families. Click here to continue.
Texas hospital closes, allegedly owes Cigna and Aetna $43M
It was an eventful May for Bay Area Regional Medical Center in Webster, Texas. The hospital officially closed its doors, laid off about 700 employees and plans to seek bankruptcy protection. Click here to continue.
23-hospital system enters $14M settlement with feds over improper physician payments $23-hospital system enters $14M settlement with feds over improper physician payments
Mercy Health, a 23-hospital system based in Cincinnati, agreed to pay the federal government $14.25 million to resolve allegations the system violated the False Claims Act, according to the Department of Justice. Click here to continue.