Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for Oct. 27, 2016.
Mazor commercially launches Mazor X
The company launched Mazor X commercially at the North American Spine Society Annual Meeting after the July 2016 pre-launch generated orders from U.S. customers. Medtronic entered into a co-marketing, promotion and training agreement with Mazor in May to move toward commercialization. The company expects the commercialization to drive further sales of the company's product portfolio, including the Renaissance robotic spine surgery system.
NASS issues 1st coverage recommendations for electrical bone growth stimulators for spinal fusion
The North American Spine Society issued the first coverage recommendations for electrical bone growth stimulators. The coverage recommendations support using pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation devices for spinal fusion surgery. These recommendations suggest using the devices for both cervical and lumbar spinal regions.
Stryker courts ASCs with Ascential spine device, inventory management solution
Stryker introduced a new implant delivery solution for low-acuity spine surgeries designed for the ambulatory surgery center. The new solution, Ascential, offers sterile-packaged implants, customized service levels and a streamlined distribution model. It is intended for operational efficiencies, competitive pricing and reduced operating costs for ASCs.
Dr. Thomas Scully performs 1st surgery implanting PRO-LINK Ti system
Thomas B. Scully, MD, of Northwest NeuroSpecialists in Tucson, Ariz., became the first surgeon to implant Life Spine's PRO-LINK Ti Stand-Alone Cervical Spacer System during an outpatient procedure on Oct. 20. The FDA cleared Huntley, Ill.-based Life Spine's PRO-LINK Ti in September. It is a low-profile, standalone cervical interbody device, featuring Osseo-Loc technology.
Congress of Neurological Surgeons President Dr. Russell Lonser emphasizes big data in evolving neurosurgical field
At the Congress of Neurological Surgeons annual meeting in San Diego, Russell Lonser, MD, delivered the presidential address with an emphasis on technology and big data. Dr. Lonser noted the neurosurgery field is quickly changing in light of information sharing. He encouraged neurosurgeons to get on board with the Information Age, as data acquisition, storage, analysis and sharing will enhance neurosurgery in clinical practice, education and research.
80% of physicians say their practices are at capacity or over-extended
Eighty percent of physicians say they are at capacity or over-extended, according to the 2016 Survey of America's Physicians. Fourteen percent of those surveyed feel they have the time necessary to provide the "highest standards of care." Of those surveyed, 52.4 percent reported they are at full capacity and 28.2 percent said they feel overextended or overworked.
Dr. Mark Giovanini performs 1st spine surgery with Avenue T
Pensacola, Fla.-based NeuroMicroSpine's Mark Giovanini, MD, performed the first outpatient transformational lumbar interbody fusion with the FDA-approved Avenue T device from LDR. Avenue T is a standalone interbody device that doesn't require any other supplemental fixation. The surgeon can place the interbody device through a small incision with minimal blood loss.
PA staffing models yield similar clinical outcomes
JCOM published a study finding a hospitalist group with a high physician assistant-to-physician ratio yielded similar clinical outcomes when compared to a hospitalist group with a low PA-to-physician ratio. Researchers noted 14.05 percent of patients in the expanded PA group were readmitted within 30 days, compared to 13.69 percent of patients in the conventional staffing PA model. For the expanded PA group, the average charge to the patient totaled $2,644, less than $2,724 for the conventional group. Researchers concluded an expanded PA hospitalist staffing model at a community hospital yielded similar outcomes at a decreased cost of care.