Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for Feb. 23, 2017.
Department of Health opens investigation into Cherry Hill Hospital's chair of neurosurgery
A few days after the Seattle Times published a report outlining concerns with Swedish Health Services' Cherry Hill Hospital Chair of Neurosurgery Johnny Delashaw, MD, the publication now reports state health regulators are investigating complaints filed against him. Read more about the investigation here.
Dr. Christopher Duntsch sentenced to life in prison for injuring his patients
Former neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch, MD, PhD, was sentenced to life in prison for intentionally injuring his patients. The jury deliberated for one hour before sentencing Dr. Duntsch to the maximum penalty after taking four hours last week to find him guilty of intentionally causing bodily harm.
Mayfield Brain & Spine, UC Health break formal affiliation
Norwood, Ohio-based Mayfield Brain & Spine cut formal affiliation ties with the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and UC Health. For nearly two years, Mayfield and UC have been negotiating a revised affiliation agreement regarding Mayfield and UC's department of neurosurgery. The negotiations stalled, ending the 35-year affiliation on Feb. 15, 2017.
Virginia Supreme Court rules battery claim doesn't hold in wrong-level spinal fusion
Virginia Supreme Court's Justice Stephen R. McCullough wrote an opinion that reversed a prior trial court decision on a botched spine surgery, as reported by Legal Newsline and published by Forbes. The deceased patient's wife filed a battery lawsuit against spine surgeon Matthew T. Mayr, MD, who allegedly fused the wrong level during a surgery to relieve back pain. Dr. Mayr argued he disclosed wrong-level fusion as a risk of the spine surgery to the patient. Read more about the lawsuit here.
Dr. Kern Singh launches Minimally Invasive Spine Study Group
Co-Director of the Minimally Invasive Spine Institute at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush in Chicago Kern Singh, MD, founded the Minimally Invasive Spine Study Group. The study group is a multi-institutional organization focused on performing high-quality clinical research. It houses an online patient registry, REDCAP, containing data from 3,000 unique patients treated with minimally invasive approaches.
Medtronic's Q3 revenue up 5%, spine revenue growth strongest in 7+ years
Medtronic released its third quarter fiscal year 2017 financial report, with revenue increasing to $7.2 billion, up 5 percent over the same period last year. Medtronic's spine revenue increased 3 percent to $657 million for the quarter, experiencing its strongest quarterly year-over-year growth in more than seven years.
Mazor Robotics brings in record year with $36.4M in 2016 revenue
Caesarea, Israel-based Mazor Robotics released its financial results for fourth quarter and full year, ended Dec. 31, 2016. Mazor's revenue saw a 59 percent boost in Q4 2016 to $14 million, up from $8.8 million in Q4 2015. The company's full-year 2016 revenue rose 39 percent to $36.4 million, up from $26.1 million in 2015.
Banner Health and The Core Institute open Orthopedic & Spine Institute
Banner Health's partnership with fellow Phoenix-based The Core Institute will continue to expand thanks to Orthopedic & Spine Institute opening in downtown Phoenix. The Core Institute's physicians staff the clinic alongside faculty from Phoenix-based University of Arizona College of Medicine's orthopedic department.