Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for Dec. 18, 2014.
CMS Final Rule: 10 key concepts for physician pay
CMS released the Physician Fee Schedule final rule with several key changes for 2015, according to an AAOS Now report. The changes include a shift away from global payments with a final proposal to eliminate all 10- and 90-day global payment periods for surgical services phased-in over the next four years. It also includes penalties in 2015 for surgeons who don't meet the PQRS requirements.
SPORT vs. NSQIP: What the difference means for spine patient data
The Spine Journal published a report recently comparing the results from the SPORT lumbar disc herniation cohort with the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database to identify different trends in disc herniation treatment. Researchers found that the SPORT one-year reoperation rates were higher than NSQIP. The NSQIP readmission rate was 2 percent.
Medical device market to reach $361B this year
According to a Global Market for Medical Devices report, the medical devices market is expected to reach $361 billion by the end of 2014, and the market is expected to grow 3 percent on average, which is slower than many in the industry would prefer.
5 points on adjacent segment disease after cervical spine surgery
Researchers examined 672 patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy, in a study published in Spine. Fifteen percent of the patients underwent revision surgery and adjacent segment disease was the reason for the revision surgery in 47 procedures — 47.5 percent of the patients.
3D Expandable FLXfit Cage distribution agreement: Building for the future
Expanding Orthopedics closed the first distribution agreement for the three-dimensional Expandable FLXfit Cage with the Brad Rummer-owned Trout Medical. The distribution agreement will distribute the expandable cage in Texas.
MiMedx increases 2015 revenue projections by at least 50%
The company originally released 2015 expectations in November, but a newly-approved 2015 Business Plan and Budget from the board of directors paints a rosier picture for next year. The updated 2015 guidance notes that first quarter revenues will reach $40 million to $41 million. The operating profit margin is expected to be in excess of 10 percent.
Scoliosis Research Society announces 2014-2015 board members
The new members include John P. Dormans, MD, former chief of division of orthopedics at The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, appointed as president; David W. Polly Jr., MD, chief of spine surgery at the University of Minnesota, appointed as president-elect; and Kenneth M.C. Cheung, MD, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, appointed as vice president.
90% of future physicians intend to avoid private practice
Medical students today largely intend to avoid private practice, are unsatisfied with their business skills and are putting faith in technology to improve communication, according to the results of the 9th annual Epocrates Future Physicians of American Survey released by athenahealth.
More articles on spine:
Spine surgery for 'Generation Me': Will customization lead to better outcomes?
4 spine, neurosurgery practice expansions
Dr. Richard Francis develops patient-to-patient ambassador program