Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for Feb. 16, 2017.
Guilty verdict for neurosurgeon Dr. Christopher Duntsch for causing 'injury to an elderly person'
On Feb. 14, 2017, Christopher Duntsch, MD, PhD, a former neurosurgeon practicing in Plano, Texas, received a guilty verdict for a count of "injury to an elderly person," CBS DFW reports. The 44-year-old neurosurgeon faces anywhere from five years to 99 years or life in prison or probation, according to the report. The trial continues to determine Dr. Duntsch's sentencing.
Seattle Times examines Swedish-Cherry Hill's neuroscience program balance of volume & quality
A Seattle Times report examined the spine and neurosurgery services at Providence Health & Services Swedish-Cherry Hill hospital in Seattle. According to the report, the health system decided to overhaul Cherry Hill's neuroscience program to treat more high-risk patients. The invasive brain and spine procedures generated around $500 million in net operating revenue in 2015 and touted higher Medicare reimbursement per inpatient visit than any other hospital of its size. Read more here.
American College of Physicians releases new guidelines for treating low back pain
American College of Physicians offers new guidelines for how physicians should treat low back pain, in an article published in Annals of Internal Medicine. The guidelines are based on randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews on noninvasive pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments of non-radicular low back pain.
NuVasive surpasses full-year 2016 expectations; reports $962.1M in revenue
San Diego-based NuVasive reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2016. In Q4 2016, NuVasive's revenue totaled $271.1 million, reflecting a 25.9 percent boost from the same period the year prior. NuVasive saw revenue of $962.1 million for the full-year 2016, an 18.6 percent increase from full-year 2015.
Physician wins $1.5M suit after mistakenly being put on a list of Medicare-barred providers
A physician whose patients had trouble filling prescriptions after UnitedHealth Group's OptumRx mistook his identity and placed him on a list of physicians who were barred from Medicare participation won $1.5 million in a slander suit against the company.
Dr. Tom Price is your new HHS secretary
Tom Price, MD, (R-Ga.) is the nation's new HHS secretary. In the early hours of Feb. 10, 2017, the Senate confirmed Dr. Price by a vote of 52 to 47. As head of the HHS, Dr. Price will oversee a $1 trillion annual budget. A physician hasn't served as the HHS secretary since Louis W. Sullivan, MD, during former President George H. W. Bush's administration.
Dr. Robert Galler steps into neurosurgery director role at Peconic Bay Medical Center
Riverhead, N.Y.-based Peconic Bay Medical Center, a part of Great Neck, N.Y.-based Northwell Health, named Robert M. Galler, DO, the new director of neurosurgery. He will also serve as director of neurological spine for Northwell Health's Eastern Region.
3 OrthoCarolina surgeons meet legislative leaders as part of AAHKS delegation
Physician members of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons met with a group of legislative leaders to discuss economical value-based care for patients. As healthcare undergoes dramatic changes, the physicians advocated for a "value based" approach to promote better outcomes, fewer complications and more economical delivery of care for patients.