H. Randall Woodward, MD, is a senior partner with Nebraska Spine Center and leader of the Nebraska Spine Hospital, which gained Joint Commission certification on Dec. 21, 2010, just 10 days before the deadline for building or expanding physician-owned hospitals set forth by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. "Before beginning this project, I didn't realize how much work it is to tow the line with all government regulations," says Dr. Woodward. "You have to make sure your assistant's orders are cosigned and dated at all times or you get points knocked off and the hospital loses money. Now that we have skin in the game, we pay more attention and sign and date our orders. If we don't, the hospital gets in trouble and we get in trouble."
However, since opening the specialty hospital Dr. Woodward and his partners have been able to see the benefits of a spine-only facility. "The good thing about a specialty hospital is that it can be more efficient and less expensive and hopefully have better outcomes if you are just doing one thing and doing that one thing well," says Dr. Woodward. "Everyone on our staff knows what to do, and we can perform more complex spine cases with fewer slip-ups. We have the right specialized equipment and personnel focused on spine surgery. Everything we do is faster and safer because everyone is on the same page."
During his career, Dr. Woodward has chaired the coding committee for the Scoliosis Research Society and served as the reviewer for Spine. He has also published several articles in professional journals and participated in clinical trials for devices such as Optimesh and Maverick total disc replacement.
Dr. Woodward is a member of the North American Spine Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Omaha Orthopaedic Society. He has given several presentations related to spine care and spine surgery at professional society meetings across the country.
Dr. Woodward earned his medical degree at Northwestern University in Chicago, where he also completed his residency in orthopedic surgery. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at Rochester, N.Y.
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However, since opening the specialty hospital Dr. Woodward and his partners have been able to see the benefits of a spine-only facility. "The good thing about a specialty hospital is that it can be more efficient and less expensive and hopefully have better outcomes if you are just doing one thing and doing that one thing well," says Dr. Woodward. "Everyone on our staff knows what to do, and we can perform more complex spine cases with fewer slip-ups. We have the right specialized equipment and personnel focused on spine surgery. Everything we do is faster and safer because everyone is on the same page."
During his career, Dr. Woodward has chaired the coding committee for the Scoliosis Research Society and served as the reviewer for Spine. He has also published several articles in professional journals and participated in clinical trials for devices such as Optimesh and Maverick total disc replacement.
Dr. Woodward is a member of the North American Spine Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Omaha Orthopaedic Society. He has given several presentations related to spine care and spine surgery at professional society meetings across the country.
Dr. Woodward earned his medical degree at Northwestern University in Chicago, where he also completed his residency in orthopedic surgery. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at Rochester, N.Y.
More Articles on Spine Surgeon Leaders:
Spine Surgeon Leader to Know: Dr. Rick Delamarter of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Spine Surgeon Leader to Know: Dr. Scott Blumenthal of Texas Back Institute