Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for June 14, 2018.
Stryker 'not in discussions' to acquire Boston Scientific according to regulatory filing
Despite rumblings of a takeover bid, Stryker said it is not planning on acquiring Boston Scientific, Reuters reports. In light of this announcement, Stryker's shares increased 5.8 percent to $172.01 in pre-market trading. Boston Scientific's shares dropped 5.4 percent to $32.01. The Wall Street Journal reported June 11 that Stryker made a takeover bid to acquire Boston Scientific, according to those "familiar with the matter."
4 errors in 4 weeks, including incorrect spine surgery: Rhode Island Hospital to commit $1M to quality improvement efforts
Providence-based Rhode Island Hospital will introduce system improvement measures after reports of four patient errors surfaced in four weeks, according to Providence Journal. A consent agreement between the hospital and Rhode Island's department of health outlines that Rhode Island Hospital will implement a "series of system improvement measures" over the next year. The consent agreement is in place of regulatory action. Read more, here.
Stanford's Dr. Griffith Harsh IV becomes UC Davis Health neurosurgery chief
Sacramento, Calif.-based UC Davis Health welcomed Griffith Harsh IV, MD, to its team as neurosurgery department chief, according to The Sacramento Bee. Dr. Harsh previously headed the Stanford (Calif.) Brain Tumor Center since 2010, and served as the vice chair of the neurosurgery department at Stanford. He will continue working at Stanford Medical Center as well as UC Davis until the transition is complete.
Kansas hospital loses Medicare billing privileges, may be forced to close
CMS terminated Overland Park, Kan.-based Blue Valley Hospital's Medicare contract in April, and the hospital faced another setback last week when a federal judge ruled she did not have jurisdiction to hear the hospital's case against HHS and CMS challenging the Medicare termination decision, according to KCUR.
St. Luke's Health System enhances spine care with $25M donation
Overland Park, Kan.-based St. Luke's Health System received a $25 million donation from the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation gifted the money. St. Luke's will use the donation to expand its spine care services and create a new rehabilitation center.
KKR acquiring Envision Healthcare for $9.9B
KKR will acquire Nashville, Tenn.-based Envision Healthcare for about $9.9 billion, or $46 per share. The acquisition was unanimously approved by Envision's board of directors. After low third-quarter 2017 earnings, Envision began an internal review to "enhance shareholder value." Envision's board said a company sale was being considered. Agreeing to be acquired by KKR is the culmination of that review.
K2M exceeds 100th-product milestone with OZARK Cervical Plate Systems clearance
K2M earned FDA clearance of its OZARK Cervical Plate Systems. The company surpassed its 100th product milestone since this clearance. The OZARK Cervical Plate Systems is intended for anterior screw fixation to the cervical spine for patients suffering from degenerative disease, deformity, tumor or trauma.
The Seattle Times asks for dismissal of 8 defamation claims in Dr. Johnny Delashaw libel case
The Seattle Times is calling for dismissal of some defamation claims brought by Johnny B. Delashaw, MD, in a libel lawsuit, according to TDN.com. Dr. Delashaw, the former Seattle-based Swedish Neuroscience Institute chair, sued The Seattle Times in April, arguing it published falsities and left out facts. He alleged the newspaper based its article on the incorrect claim that he rushed through simultaneous surgeries to increase his profits. Read more, here.