Spine surgeon Dr. Johnny Delashaw sues Seattle Times for 2017 report: 5 things to know

Johnny B. Delashaw, MD, former Seattle-based Swedish Neuroscience Institute chair, is suing The Seattle Times for libel, according to TDN.com.

Here are six things to know.

1. Dr. Delashaw sued the newspaper April 11, arguing it published falsities and left out facts. He alleged The Seattle Times based its article on the incorrect claim that he rushed through simultaneous surgeries to increase his profits. Dr. Delashaw argued that he was on a fixed salary that awarded quality.

2. In his complaint, Dr. Delashaw requests the newspaper delete the alleged inaccuracies and publish a retraction.

3. Alan Fisco, The Seattle Times president, told TDN.com, "We are reviewing the complaint, but we stand by the accuracy of the Quantity of Care series."

4. The Seattle Times published an investigative report in February 2017 on the spine and neurosurgery services at Providence Health & Services Swedish-Cherry Hill hospital. The report raised suspicions around the hospital's invasive brain and spine procedures generating around $500 million in net operating revenue in 2015 as well as seeing higher Medicare reimbursement per inpatient visit than any other hospital of its size.

5. Dr. Delashaw brought in 661 inpatient cases resulting in more than $86 million in billed charges within his first 16 months at the hospital.

6. Following The Seattle Times report, Dr. Delashaw resigned in March 2017.