November 2020 Issue of Becker's Spine Review
ON THE COVER
The most exciting technologies in spine from 10 surgeons
From robotic-assisted surgery to augmented reality and potential virtual health innovations, 10 spine surgeons discuss the technologies that they see making the next big breakthrough in the field.
Dr. Alexander Vaccaro on the 'secret sauce' behind Rothman Orthopaedics' Florida expansion
ecker's Spine Review spoke with Alexander Vaccaro, MD, PhD, president of Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, about the secret behind the group's Florida expansion and key markets for orthopedics today.
6 spine surgeons on the biggest obstacle they face going forward
Insurance companies and the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic are some of the issues at the forefront of spine surgeons' minds. Here, six surgeons discuss the biggest obstacles to the specialty going forward.
Robotics is the next step for spine, total joints: 3 administrators weigh in
Robotics is picking up steam in spine and orthopedics, with emerging surgeons particularly drawn to the latest technologies in their specialties.
North American Spine Society recognizes 20 spine specialists under 40
The North American Spine Society released its list of 20 spine specialists under 40 in the October 2020 edition of SpineLine.
NASS welcomes Dr. Eeric Truumees as president
The North American Spine Society has named Eeric Truumees, MD, president during its 35th annual meeting, taking place virtually Oct. 6-9.
Medtronic CEO reports spine growth exceeds expectations, aims to keep taking market share
Despite the pandemic, Medtronic is still focused on growth in the spine arena and CEO Geoff Martha said the company exceeded growth expectations during the 2020 Morgan Stanley Global Healthcare Conference.
Healthgrades: 100 best hospitals for spine surgery in the US
Healthgrades unveiled its list of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Specialty Care.
Which states have the highest, lowest concentration of ASCs?
Washington, D.C., Maryland and New Jersey are the only areas in the U.S. with more than 20 ASCs per 1,000 square miles, according to a July report from Anthem's Public Policy Institute.
How Google ranks top spine surgeons
group of researchers examined how Google ranks top spine surgeons and published their findings in Spine.
SPINE SURGEONS
Dr. Alexander Vaccaro on the 'secret sauce' behind Rothman Orthopaedics' Florida expansion
Becker's Spine Review spoke with Alexander Vaccaro, MD, PhD, president of Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, about the secret behind the group's Florida expansion and key markets for orthopedics today.
North American Spine Society recognizes 20 spine specialists under 40
The North American Spine Society released its list of 20 spine specialists under 40 in the October 2020 edition of SpineLine.
Dr. Justin Brown creates surgical technique to reverse paralysis
Neurosurgeon Justin Brown, MD, has developed a surgical technique to help some neurologic patients regain movement, according to a Sept. 13 Boston Herald report.
Neurosurgeon, practice administrator to settle false claims allegations for $1M: 5 details
A Philadelphia-based neurosurgeon and his practice administrator agreed to settle false claims allegations related to billing for an electro-acupuncture device, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
6 spine surgeons on the biggest obstacle they face going forward
Insurance companies and the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic are some of the issues at the forefront of spine surgeons' minds. Here, six surgeons discuss the biggest obstacles to the specialty going forward.
DEVICES & IMPLANTS
NuVasive loses ground to Alphatec in court battle over 2017 executive departure
Alphatec Holdings secured a partial victory Aug. 31 in a lawsuit brought by competitor NuVasive, according to court documents.
Robotics is the next step for spine, total joints: 3 administrators weigh in
Robotics is picking up steam in spine and orthopedics, with emerging surgeons particularly drawn to the latest technologies in their specialties.
Medtronic's Omar Ishrak to retire as chairman: 6 things to know
Omar Ishrak, PhD, plans to retire as Medtronic's executive chairman and chairman of the board, the company announced Oct. 6.
IMED Surgical alleges orthopedic practice founder duplicated company's product
IMED Surgical filed a federal lawsuit against Dror Paley, MD, the founder and director of Paley Orthopedic and Spine Institute, and others, alleging Dr. Paley illegally stole IMED's technology to help develop the Orthex External Fixation System.
Medtronic CEO reports spine growth exceeds expectations, aims to keep taking market share
Despite the pandemic, Medtronic is still focused on growth in the spine arena and CEO Geoff Martha said the company exceeded growth expectations during the 2020 Morgan Stanley Global Healthcare Conference.
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
Appeals court reverses IU Health win in suit over near-fatal spine surgery
The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a judgment that would have allowed IU Health to dodge "vicarious liability" for an independent anesthesiologist's work in a near-fatal spine surgery, according to court documents filed Sept. 28.
11-physician orthopedic practice joins Northwestern Medicine
DeKalb, Ill.-based Midwest Orthopaedic Institute became part of Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine Oct. 1. Midwest Orthopaedic Institute's 11 physicians and more than 80 staff members are now employed by Northwestern Medicine, which also owns and operates the group's diagnostic and rehabilitation services.
Adena names $70M spine center to open in 2021
Chillicothe, Ohio-based Adena Health Systems has branded its $70 million facility set to open in 2021 as Adena Orthopedic and Spine Institute, the Chillicothe Gazette reports.
'An unprecedented runway for growth' — Why Mississippi Sports Medicine formed U.S. Orthopedic Partners
Jackson-based Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center partnered with private equity firm Thurston Group Oct. 2, establishing U.S. Orthopedic Partners.
OrthoArkansas to open $4.1M spine center, add up to 10 positions
OrthoArkansas is opening a spine center at its main office in Little Rock in January, Arkansas Business reports.
OUTPATIENT SURGERY
Medicare to save $73.4B with surgery in ASCs through 2028: 5 things to know
A new report from the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association shows performing surgery on Medicare patients in ASCs instead of hospital outpatient departments saved $4.2 billion in 2018, and the savings are expected to climb significantly in the next decade.
AmSurg taps cardiology leader as next president — 3 details
Jeff Snodgrass will be the new president of AmSurg, one of the country's largest ASC operators and the ambulatory division of Nashville, Tenn.-based Envision Healthcare.
Where Walmart plans to open 10 health centers
Walmart Health said it is opening several new locations in the coming months in Georgia, Chicago and Florida.
Which states have the highest, lowest concentration of ASCs?
Washington, D.C., Maryland and New Jersey are the only areas in the U.S. with more than 20 ASCs per 1,000 square miles, according to a July report from Anthem's Public Policy Institute.
Surgery Partners sells select anesthesia services businesses: 4 details
Surgery Partners sold some of its anesthesia services business to Anesthesia Consulting & Management, known as NorthStar Anesthesia.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
10 cities with the highest, lowest uninsured rates
Pharr, Texas, has the highest uninsured rate in the U.S., and Newton, Mass., has the lowest, according to an analysis by personal finance website WalletHub.
Humana saved $4B from value-based care programs last year
Humana released results from its value-based programs for the past year, estimating that it saved $4 billion in healthcare expenses that would have been recorded under fee-for-service models.
UPMC joins $15M funding round for AI startup, providing summary transcripts of clinical encounters
Abridge, an artificial intelligence tool that records patient and clinician conversations and generates a post-visit summary for the patient, launched its new app Oct. 6 after finalizing $15 million in funding.
Ransomware attacks in healthcare doubled in Q3
During the third quarter of 2020, ransomware attempts increased 50 percent compared to the first half of the year, according to a Check Point study featured in USA Today.
HCA Healthcare physician dies of COVID-19 after wearing same mask for weeks
An HCA Healthcare physician has died of COVID-19 after reusing her N95 mask for weeks, if not months, The Guardian reported.