Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for Feb. 22, 2018.
Judge orders former Mayfield Brain & Spine surgeon to halt practice after non-compete violation
A Hamilton County judge ordered neurosurgeon Mario Zuccarello, MD, to stop practicing medicine within a 25-mile radius of Norwood, Ohio-based Mayfield Brain & Spine. Mayfield filed a lawsuit against former partner and vice chairman of the Mayfield board Dr. Zuccarello for allegedly violating a non-compete agreement, the Cincinnati Business Courier reports. Read more, here.
Medtronic reports Q3 revenue at $7.3B, 1% increase
Medtronic reported $7.3 billion in third quarter 2018 revenue, a 1 percent increase over the same period last year. Medtronic's U.S. revenue represented 53 percent of overall revenue, hitting $3.9 billion. Spine revenue increased 1 percent in the third quarter, hitting $661 million.
CEO compensation for 8 spine, orthopedic device companies
CEOs of medical device company giants routinely make seven-figure salaries, with total compensation reaching even higher when bonuses and stock awards are included. Alex Gorsky, chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, topped the list with a salary of $1.6 million in 2016. Read about the others, here.
Spine surgery patient receives $17,850 bill for urine test
In March 2017, a Texas patient who underwent disc removal surgery received a $17,850 bill for a January 2016 urine drug test, NPR reports. In 2015, a patient successfully underwent surgery in Houston and her surgeon prescribed the opioid painkiller hydrocodone. In January 2016, Ms. Moreno was asked to leave a urine sample at a follow-up office visit. The next year, she received the $17,850 bill from Houston-based Sunset Labs for a urine test that screened for drugs.
Key points on posterior cervical fusion readmissions + predictive factors
A new study published in Spine examines the predictors of readmissions after posterior cervical fusion. The 30-day readmission rate was 6.2 percent, and postoperative infection accounted for 17 percent of all readmissions. When physicians identify the predictors of readmission early, they can identify high-risk patients and improve patient counseling. Read more about the study, here.
FDA issues final rule on international study data
The FDA is requiring that data submitted from clinical investigations conducted outside the U.S. for medical device approval be conducted according to good clinical practice. This final rule is effective Feb. 21, 2019 and aims to provide consistency in FDA requirements for acceptance of data from clinical investigations regardless of application or submission type. It also intends to help ensure the quality and integrity of data obtained from these investigations and human subject protection.
Amazon focusing on ambulatory sites for entrance into supply chain market
Amazon is reportedly looking to expand its medical supplies business, focusing on ambulatory sites such as outpatient surgery centers, according to Bloomberg. Amazon's interest in outpatient clinics, including doctors' offices and ASCs, was revealed to Bloomberg by a supply chain executive at a top hospital system that has been involved in talks with Amazon officials in recent months.
NuVasive's SpineTRACK Registry participants can now earn Medicare payment incentives
CMS designated NuVasive's SpineTRACK Registry as a qualified clinical data registry for the 2018 Merit-based Incentive Payment System reporting year. Participants can use SpineTRACK to earn Medicare payment incentives. Established in 2011, the SpineTRACK Registry is a NuVasive-sponsored collaborative data collection and quality improvement solution for spine practices which generates real-time reports for better treatment decisions making.