Charlotte, N.C.-based Southeast Anesthesiology Consultants is suing Atrium Health, according to the Independent Tribune.
Here are five things to know.
1. Southeast Anesthesiology Consultants filed a lawsuit in North Carolina court in Mecklenburg County March 26, alleging that Atrium and its new anesthesia provider Scope Anesthesia used trade secrets and conspired to get the new company into the contract.
2. According to the lawsuit, Atrium hired Tom Wherry, MD, and his company Total Anesthesia, as a consultant in 2017 to evaluate Atrium's anesthesiology services. The lawsuit alleges that Dr. Wherry recommended that Atrium cut back on physicians at its hospitals.
3. In August 2017, Atrium informed Southeast in that it would not renew the contract, but put in an extension for negotiations. Southeast served as Atrium's anesthesia provider for 37 years.
4. In the lawsuit, Southeast claims that it tried to meet Dr. Wherry's recommended staff reductions but was unable to do so without putting patients at risk.
5. In December 2017, Atrium announced Scope would take over anesthesiology services July 1. Atrium had been in negotiations with Southeast's affiliate, Fla.-based Mednax, for several months, but was unable to reach an agreement.
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