March 2022 Issue of Becker's Spine Review
ON THE COVER
190+ ASCs with spine surgery | 2022
Here is a state-by-state breakdown of more than 180 ASCs that perform minimally invasive spine surgery in the U.S.:
Leave spinal fusions to the surgeons, spine societies warn
The recent technology advances in spine surgery allow for less invasive procedures and outpatient surgeries. But several spine societies have come together to warn against non-spine surgeons performing spinal arthrodesis.
Spine patient visits expected to increase 7% in 2022: 5 notes
Joint pain medical encounters are projected to increase 22 percent in 2022, with spine-related visits expected to rise 7 percent, according to a Jan. 5 report by predictive analytics company Prealize Health.
ACDF in 10 years: CDR may become gold standard but 'we will always need both'
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is the most common surgery for treating symptoms related to a degenerative or herniated disc in the neck, but other techniques may offer more benefits to patients, depending on their spinal condition.
Florida ASC sues Cigna for $434K spine reimbursement
Melbourne, Fla.-based Surgery Center of Viera filed a lawsuit Jan. 20 in Florida Middle District Court in Orlando against Cigna and Strategic Enterprise Solutions.
Spinal fusions at HOPDs increase after CMS approval for ASCs
Outpatient cervical and lumbar fusions jumped at hospital-outpatient departments after CMS approved the procedures for ASCs while the procedure rate had little or no growth in surgery centers.
Are hospitals getting more aggressive against private practices?
While COVID-19 is accelerating the migration of physicians to hospital employment, some hospitals have doubled down on measures that are making it hard for private practice physicians to remain independent.
As Neuralink aims for human trials, 3 spine surgeons weigh in on practicality
Elon Musk's Neuralink brain implant has been in development for years and tested in animals in 2020 and 2021. Mr. Musk said he aims to use Neuralink in humans this year, and its first applications would help spinal cord injury patients.
5 emerging trends spine surgeons must monitor
A number of trends are expected to gain momentum in spine surgery in the coming years, such as the growth of minimally invasive procedures and technologies, shifting hospital strategies and site-of care changes.
Orthopedic surgery to be down 5,050 physicians by 2025
Orthopedic surgeon ranks expected to shrink by 5,000 in next 3 years.
Spine surgeon's startup wants a slice of the $14B spinal fusion market
Kleiner Device Labs, a startup founded by Jeff Kleiner, MD, has acquired 23 U.S. patents for its spine technologies and plans to break into the spinal fusion market, currently valued at $14 billion, according to Benzinga.
SPINE SURGEONS
Leave spinal fusions to the surgeons, spine societies warn
The recent technology advances in spine surgery allow for less invasive procedures and outpatient surgeries. But several spine societies have come together to warn against non-spine surgeons performing spinal arthrodesis.
Neurosurgery to be down 1,200 physicians by 2025
By 2030, the shortage of physicians in the U.S. is expected to reach 121,300, with neurosurgery among the specialties anticipating a significant deficit, according to an annual report published Jan. 26 by advisory group Physicians Thrive.
Spinal fusions at HOPDs increase after CMS approval for ASCs
Outpatient cervical and lumbar fusions jumped at hospital-outpatient departments after CMS approved the procedures for ASCs while the procedure rate had little or no growth in surgery centers.
Spine surgeon advises New York Jets player to retire at 24
New York Jets offensive lineman Cameron Clark is retiring at age 24 after suffering a spinal cord injury that sidelined him for the 2021 season, ESPN reported Feb. 2.
'I've got bad news for you': Spine surgery delayed after patient waits 3 hours on gurney
Nonurgent surgeries across the U.S. are being canceled as COVID-19 cases surge and hospitals face critical staffing shortages. Most of the time, the surgeries are canceled well in advance. But for one patient in California, that wasn't the case.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
ACDF in 10 years: CDR may become gold standard but 'we will always need both'
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is the most common surgery for treating symptoms related to a degenerative or herniated disc in the neck, but other techniques may offer more benefits to patients, depending on their spinal condition.
Is outpatient migration stifling spine investment at hospitals? 5 surgeons weigh in
The shift of spine procedures to the outpatient setting has gained momentum in recent years as commercial payers boosted coverage, devicemakers refocused their strategies and surgeons warmed to the idea of operating on patients at ASCs.
Spine surgeons: If you can't fix the complication, don't perform the surgery
Recent innovations have enabled nonsurgeon specialists such as physiatrists and pain management anesthesiologists to perform spinal fusions in outpatient settings, but spine societies have raised concerns about some potential dangers to patient care.
Education, outpatient migration key to growing endoscopic spine cases: Dr. Michael Gallizzi
From endoscopic surgery education to regenerative medicine research, Michael Gallizzi, MD, already has a vision for his upcoming post at The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo.
'Risk' replacing 'value': 5 surgeons discuss the future of orthopedic care delivery
After some initial success in bundled payment models, many orthopedic providers are dropping out of such Medicare programs as the continuous challenge to reduce costs and maintain high-quality care becomes a "race to the bottom."
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
U.S. Orthopaedic Partners to grow brand, double in size in 2022
Birmingham, Ala.-based Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center is the latest practice to join U.S. Orthopaedic Partners, a private equity-backed management services organization in the Southeast.
MSOs becoming attractive option for physician-owned orthopedic groups
Aligning with musculoskeletal management services organizations is becoming a more attractive strategic option for some orthopedic practices as economic, payer and administrative hurdles continue to challenge physician-owned groups to maintain independence.
Colorado hospital expects up to 70% decline in orthopedic revenue in 2022
Aspen (Colo.) Valley Hospital executives are predicting an up to 70 percent decrease in orthopedic revenue in 2022, which equates to about a $20 million hit to its bottom line, The Aspen Times reports.
Are hospitals getting more aggressive against private practices?
While COVID-19 is accelerating the migration of physicians to hospital employment, some hospitals have doubled down on measures that are making it hard for private practice physicians to remain independent.
Employee at Illinois orthopedic group gets 1 year in prison for fraudulent opioid scripts
An administrative assistant at Westmont, Ill.-based Hinsdale Orthopaedics has been sentenced to one year in prison for writing fraudulent opioid prescriptions.
DEVICES & IMPLANTS
Medtronic accused of stealing Globus Medical's sales team, customers
Globus Medical has accused Medtronic of recruiting its San Antonio sales team to steal customers from the company and strengthen its position in the spine market.
Augmedics names new CEO
Augmedics, which develops the Xvision augmented reality surgical system, named Kevin Hykes president and CEO.
'Trend toward the future': Spine robot installed at Louisiana hospital
Christus Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital in Lake Charles, La., said it became the first hospital in Southwest Louisiana to install ExcelsiusGPS, a robot designed to assist surgeons in spine procedures, NBC affiliate KPLC reported Jan. 31.
As Neuralink aims for human trials, 3 spine surgeons weigh in on practicality
Elon Musk's Neuralink brain implant has been in development for years and tested in animals in 2020 and 2021. Mr. Musk said he aims to use Neuralink in humans this year, and its first applications would help spinal cord injury patients.
Stryker's spine, orthopedic sales hit $2.1B in Q4: 6 insights
Stryker posted $4.7 billion in fourth-quarter net sales, with full-year sales increasing 19.2 percent to $17.1 billion compared to 2020.
ASC
190+ ASCs with spine surgery | 2022
Here is a state-by-state breakdown of more than 180 ASCs that perform minimally invasive spine surgery in the U.S.:
Florida ASC sues Cigna for $434K spine reimbursement
Melbourne, Fla.-based Surgery Center of Viera filed a lawsuit Jan. 20 in Florida Middle District Court in Orlando against Cigna and Strategic Enterprise Solutions.
USPI vs. SCA vs. Surgery Partners: How big 3 stack up
The largest ASC chains keep getting bigger, and three of the top companies have hundreds of ASCs and thousands of physicians.
Johns Hopkins' innovative ASC model gives patients, physicians best of 3 worlds
The ASCs at Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins have a unique benefit: access to research, education and a health system.
New orthopedic ASC will bring 800 total joints per year to Ohio city
Cleveland-based University Hospitals is building an orthopedic ASC in Amherst, Ohio, that will create 20 to 25 new jobs, The Chronicle Chronicle reported Jan. 27.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
What makes a hospital a 'best place to work'? 3 hospital leaders weigh in
Amid the pandemic and nationwide staffing shortages, workplace culture and strong leadership have never been more important for hospitals when it comes to recruiting and retaining employees.
Orthopedic surgeon running for Congress gets AAOS endorsement
The political action committee of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons endorsed Al Olszewski, MD, who is running as a Republican for the Western Montana congressional district.
NYU Langone increased nonurgent telehealth visits by 4,300% during pandemic
New York City-based NYU Langone Health made sweeping expansions to its telehealth program during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in an increase of urgent video visits by nearly 700 percent and nonurgent video visits by more than 4,300 percent between March 2 and April 14, 2020, according to a Jan. 31 EpicShare report.
CVS launches 'Health Zones' initiative
CVS has launched "Health Zones," a collaborative initiative with local nonprofits and Uber Health to get people to medical appointments, work and educational programs, according to AZ Family, Fox61 and CBS46.
California bill would give physician owners power over private equity
A bill under consideration in the California State Legislature could put power in the hands of physician owners of physician practices, JDSupra reported Jan. 27.