A judge denied Charlotte, N.C.-based Southeast Anesthesia Consultants' request to prevent Charlotte-based Atrium Health from entering into a contract with a new anesthesia provider, the Charlotte Business Journal reports.
Here's what you should know:
1. SAC was seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent Atrium from switching anesthesia providers. SAC was Atrium's anesthesia provider for nearly 40 years, before the health system decided to end its relationship following a rates dispute.
2. SAC believed the health system was using proprietary information in its contract negotiations with Charlotte-based Scope Anesthesia. Scope will be Atrium's new provider effective July 1.
3. SAC released a statement on the ruling saying, "We intend to vigorously pursue those claims as the litigation now moves forward into the discovery phrase, where we will obtain additional evidence to demonstrate the wrongful actions of the defendants."
4. Atrium said it was pleased with the court's ruling. The hospital said, "We understand that [SAC's parent company] Mednax may continue to try to pursue claims in continued litigation, but believe that a full record will similarly show that Mednax’s claims do not have merit. In the meantime, we look forward to the transition to Scope Anesthesia on July 1."