Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for May 10, 2018.
Jury awards $4.5M over misplaced pedicle screw during spine surgery
On April 6, a Union County, N.J., jury awarded a plaintiff $4.5 million over a botched spine surgery. The plaintiff will recover $2.25 million because of a high-low agreement the lawyers entered after closing arguments, the New Jersey Law Journal reports. The suit claimed that a March 2011 lumbar fusion surgery performed by neurosurgeon Marvin Friedlander, MD, and orthopedic spine surgeon Douglas Bradley, MD, strayed from the accepted standards of care because a pedicle screw was placed in the wrong location. Read more about the case, here.
InVivo Therapeutics reports a $4.8M net loss in Q1
In the first quarter, InVivo Therapeutics experienced a net loss of $4.8 million compared to a $6.4 million net loss in the same period in 2017. Decreases in operating expenses allowed for a smaller net loss. During the first quarter, the company named Richard Toselli, MD, its president and CEO.
Memorial Health lays off 85 employees with push toward spine, joint focus
Savannah, Ga.-based Memorial University Medical Center laid off 85 employees, WTVM reports. The hospital is shifting other team members into new roles focused on direct care delivery. Memorial Health is currently making a push to focus on its centers of excellence for children, cancer, heart, joint, spine, minimally invasive surgery and emergency care.
Orthopedic surgeon who shot sales rep had been drinking alcohol; new evidence emerges in case
Details continue to emerge surrounding the shooting death of an orthopedic device sales representative at the home of Adam Lazzarini, MD, according to WLTX 19. The victim, William Holland, was a Stryker sales representative at the time of his death in October 2017; he had been visiting Dr. Lazzarini in his home when Dr. Lazzarini pointed a gun at his chest and the gun "went off." A warrant released earlier this week states Dr. Lazzarini had been drinking prior to the incident and made "false and conflicting statements to officers" after the event. Read more about the case, here.
Top New York spine surgeon leaves to join North Carolina program
Syracuse, N.Y.-based Crouse Hospital surgeon Eric Deshaies, MD, is leaving the hospital May 31 to direct a spine program in Charlotte, N.C., according to syracuse.com. Dr. Deshaies joined Crouse in 2014 to help expand the hospital's neuroscience program.
New York hospital reportedly pays CEO $660k to 'disappear'
The former CEO of Syracuse-based SUNY Upstate Medical University reportedly entered into an agreement with the hospital to resign and continue earning his chief executive $660,500 annual salary for one year, according to syracuse.com. Read more, here.
61% of spine, nerve patients not on narcotics 1-month postop under new protocol
Researchers investigated the impact of an "enhanced recovery after surgery" protocol implemented at Philadelphia-based University of Pennsylvania for spine and peripheral nerve surgery patients, according to Medscape. The University of Pennsylvania found ERAS reduced the postoperative use of opioids in its spine and nerve surgery patients. Patients under the ERAS protocol had a less need for opioids at one month compared to the control group, but experienced similar pain relief.
Deaconness Health System opens new orthopedic, neuroscience hospital
Evansville, Ind.-based Deaconness Health System cut the ribbon on the Orthopedic and Neuroscience Hospital on the Deaconness Gateway campus in Newburgh, Ind., May 4. The six-story, 215,000-square-foot specialty hospital includes inpatient and same-day surgeries and procedures, medical retail space and an Ortho Neuro Specialty Clinic for acute and ongoing treatment.