March/April 2020 Issue of Becker's Spine Review
ON THE COVER
Bundled payments in spine: 12 key thoughts for 2020
As rising healthcare costs continue to be a burden for patients and providers, new payment models such as bundled payments are gaining traction at healthcare facilities across the country.
Dr. William Hozack on bundled payments at Rothman Orthoapedics and goals at ValueHealth
William Hozack, MD, of Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedics, was recently appointed medical director of ValueHealth, a privately-held digital healthcare partner.
Should pain management physicians perform endoscopic spine surgery?
Nine spine specialists debate which physicians should and should not be able to perform endoscopic spine surgery.
DOJ alleges system paid 'excessive' salaries to keep specialist referrals in network
The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit alleging that Indianapolis-based Community Health Network illegally paid specialists "excessive" salaries in an "aggressive," "defensive" strategy to keep referrals within the system.
Can AI reverse the 'unsustainable' trajectory of spine care?
Artificial intelligence could help improve the efficiencies and outcomes of spine surgery while reversing the field's ''unsustainable" trajectory of rising costs in the U.S., according to a paper published Jan. 6 in the Global Spine Journal.
Breaking down the 3 major robots in spine surgery
In 2004, Mazor SpineAssist became the first robot approved by the FDA to guide the placement of pedicle screws. Robotics has developed rapidly since then, with three systems leading the field in robotic-assisted spine surgery.
Drs. Scott Blumenthal, Richard Guyer & more: 6 Texas Back spine surgeons reflect on 20 years of artificial disc replacement
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first artificial disc replacement in the U.S. Originating in Europe more than 30 years ago, Scott Blumenthal, MD, of Texas Back Institute in Plano, engaged in extensive research before performing the first artificial disc replacement in the country in 2000.
Why Florida? HSS CEO Louis Shapiro & Dr. David Altchek elaborate
New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery opened a 60,000-square-foot hospital in West Palm Beach, Fla., Jan. 27, expanding the hospital's footprint to a second state. The expansion was the second HSS announced in late January. Here, HSS President and CEO Louis Shapiro explains what HSS brings to Florida and elaborates on what's next for the health system.
SPINE SURGEONS
DOJ alleges system paid 'excessive' salaries to keep specialist referrals in network
The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit alleging that Indianapolis-based Community Health Network illegally paid specialists "excessive" salaries in an "aggressive," "defensive" strategy to keep referrals within the system.
Dr. Thomas Schuler excited by progress of stem cell therapy in spine
Thomas Schuler, MD, is founder and CEO of the Virginia Spine Institute in Reston and was a spine consultant for the Washington Redskins for 20 years. Dr. Schuler specializes in cervical and lumbar disc replacement and minimally invasive spine surgery.
Neurologist found guilty in $150M fraud scheme alongside 3 other physicians
A federal jury convicted neurologist Mohammed Zahoor, MD, and three other physicians of participating in a $150 million healthcare fraud scheme, the Department of Justice announced Feb. 4.
Murder trial begins for neurosurgeon accused of over-prescribing opioids, could serve life in prison
Santa Rosa, Calif.-based neurosurgeon Thomas Keller, MD, faces a potential prison term of 60 years to life for allegedly causing four patient deaths by overprescribing opioids from 2011 to 2017, The Press Democrat reports.
Ex-Olympic sports medicine chief sues, claims he was fired for reporting sexual abuse
Bill Moreau, DC, filed a whistleblower lawsuit Feb. 7 against the U.S. Olympic Committee, claiming that the organization violated federal law by waiting five days to report the sexual assault of a teenage athlete in 2018, USA Today reports.
DEVICES & IMPLANTS
Breaking down the 3 major robots in spine surgery
In 2004, Mazor SpineAssist became the first robot approved by the FDA to guide the placement of pedicle screws. Robotics has developed rapidly since then, with three systems leading the field in robotic-assisted spine surgery.
4 pillars of Stryker's growth strategy from CEO Kevin Lobo
Since Stryker CEO Kevin Lobo took the helm in 2012, the company has nearly doubled revenues. Mr. Lobo discussed his strategy at the Chief Executive's Healthcare CEO Summit earlier this month.
What Medtronic's outgoing CEO regrets the most
During Omar Ishrak's nearly nine years as Medtronic CEO, he has been tasked with growing revenue in emerging markets, navigating value-based care and stabilizing the company's spine business, MedCity News reports.
10 numbers that show how big Johnson & Johnson is in spine, orthopedics
Johnson & Johnson Medical Device Companies is a significant player in the orthopedic and spine marketplace, holding the No. 1 spot in orthopedics and No. 2 spot in spine.
How will total disc replacement develop in spine? 9 spine surgeons share insights
Nine spine surgeons discuss total disc replacement and how they see the procedure developing in the future. Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. We invite all spine surgeon and specialist responses.
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
9 things to know about Rothman Orthopaedic Institute
Founded in 1970, by Richard Rothman, MD, PhD, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute has grown from a single office in Philadelphia to almost 40 office locations across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York and is renowned for its treatment of musculoskeletal issues.
Mercy to acquire 11-physician orthopedic group with 2 surgery centers
Galena, Kan.-based Orthopedic Specialists of the Four States signed an agreement Jan. 26 to join Mercy, reports The Joplin Globe. Ortho Four States has 11 physicians, including three spine surgeons, according to its website.
Planned $240M University of Rochester facility to provide spine, orthopedic care
The University of Rochester (N.Y.) will build a $240 million orthopedics campus at The Marketplace Mall in Rochester, according to Shopping Center Business.
Spine, orthopedic care shifts to larger facility following Shriners hospital closure
Shriners Hospitals for Children — Houston will consolidate spine and orthopedic care to the system's Galveston, Texas, facility as the hospital plans to close in 2021, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Work progressing on Adena's $70M orthopedic, robotic surgery center — 4 insights
Chillicothe, Ohio-based Adena Health System is building an orthopedic and robotic surgery center, which will open in the summer of 2021, the Record Herald reports.
OUTPATIENT SURGERY
Why Texas' ASC market is booming — 4 center leaders elaborate
Texas was among the states that experienced the most ASC growth in 2019. Here, representatives of the Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society explored what makes the state great for ASCs and offered insights into the future of the market.
What's in store for USPI in 2020: Key insights from Tenet CEO Ron Rittenmeyer
United Surgical Partners International has been an area of strong performance and growth for Tenet over the years, and in 2020 the company aims to continue building on its reputation to add more centers to its platform.
Insurers, hospitals clash over service shift to ASCs
A new policy that steers patients getting colonoscopies away from hospital outpatient departments and into ASCs is stirring up controversy in Minnesota, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
Florida ASC files for bankruptcy: 3 details
Central Palm Beach Surgery Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., filed for bankruptcy on Jan. 28.
33 statistics to know about employed vs. independent physicians — Salary, practice setting shift & more
Physician networking site Doximity released its 2019 physician compensation report comparing average salary differences among specialties, as well as how salaries have changed at different practice settings.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
The nation's top 22 patient-recommended hospitals
The following hospitals were the top patient-recommended hospitals in the country, according to the most recent HCAHPS scores. Pennsylvania had five highly recommended hospitals, more than any other state.
HCA acquires tech company: 4 things to know
Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare has acquired Valify, a Frisco, Texas-based company that offers a web-based platform to help healthcare organizations identify opportunities to cut costs.
FBI raids Pennsylvania hospital
Federal investigators raided now-shuttered Ellwood (Pa.) City Medical Center on Jan. 30. The FBI hasn't provided details about the raid. A spokesperson for the agency's Pittsburgh office told the Ellwood City Ledger that the FBI was "conducting law enforcement activity" at the hospital, but officials would not comment on what they were looking for.
CMS cuts payments to 786 hospitals over high rates of infection, injury
CMS will trim 786 hospitals' Medicare payments in fiscal year 2020 for having the highest rates of patient injuries and infections.
14 highest-paying healthcare jobs in 2020
Fourteen of the 25 highest-paying jobs in 2020 are in healthcare, according to U.S. News & World Report's Best Job rankings released Jan. 7.