Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for Sept. 29, 2016.
AMA includes 1st endoscopic spine surgery code in 2017 codebook
The American Medical Association's CPT 2017 Codebook included the first endoscopic spinal surgery code no. 62380. The new code covers endoscopic decompression of the spinal cord, nerve root, including laminotomy, partial facetectomy, foraminotomy, discectomy and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disc, 1 interspace and lumbar. It will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2017.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska to cover MI sacroiliac joint fusion
Nebraska will be the second state in the nation to cover minimally invasive SI joint fusions using the SI-BONE iFuse Implant System. Michigan was first to cover the use of the system. BCBSN decided to cover the procedure after positive research was published.
Cleveland Clinic names Dr. Michael Steinmetz new neurosurgery department chair
Cleveland Clinic named Michael Steinmetz, MD, chairman of the neurosurgery department. Dr. Steinmetz will take over the role on Nov. 1, heading the neurosurgery department's administrative and academic activities.
Aspect of care that matter most to patients — Hint: Personalization is paramount
Deloitte conducted a patient survey to find out what matters most to consumers in healthcare. Personalization, economics, convenience and digital connection ranked as important areas for organizations to emphasize.
Implanet's spine activity jumps 38% in 1st half of 2016
Bordeaux, France-based Implanet reported its financial results for the first half of 2016, ending June 30. Implanet generated revenue of €4.094 thousand, representing a 24 percent increase from the same time period in 2015. This revenue increase is due the boost in spine activity, which saw a 38 percent jump from the same time period the year prior. The company upped its Jazz technological platform sales in the United States by 101 percent and in France by 40 percent, compared to the first half of 2015.
5 trends for orthopedic surgeons to watch in 2017
Orthopedic surgery is a continuously evolving field. Some major trends surgeons hypothesize will have an impact on the industry in the coming year include: hospital employment versus private practice; outpatient procedures; payment models; pain management; and infection control.
6 leaders drive anterior cervical fixation devices market
The anterior cervical fixation devices market is anticipated to grow slowly between 2016 and 2020, because the dominating Americas have reached their peak with industry adoption of cervical disc replacement devices. Technavio revealed the top six vendors in the global anterior cervical fixation devices space: Globus Medical, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, NuVasive, Stryker and Zimmer Biomet.
West Boca Medical Center plans $9.9M OR expansion, upgrades for spine, orthopedics
Florida-based West Boca Medical Center is in the midst of planning a $9.9 million project to upgrade its operating rooms. The center is going to add a sixth OR while renovating three of the existing ORs. West Boca Medical Center is making the center's updates to better accommodate orthopedics, spine and robotic surgery cases.