The federal government and local authorities ramped up efforts to crack down on illegal prescribing practices this year, and articles on the matter generated a significant amount of buzz.
The five most read stories on Becker's anesthesia channel in 2019:
1. Former pain practice CEO found guilty of 8 counts in $4M kickback operation — 4 details
Former Gallatin, Tenn.-based Comprehensive Pain Specialists CEO John Davis was found guilty of participating in a $4 million illegal kickback scheme, the Department of Justice announced in April.
2. Surgery center nurse who switched syringes has license suspended — 7 insights
In September, a Michigan nurse had her license suspended after she was found taking pain medicine syringes from the hospital where she worked and switching them with syringes from a surgery center where she worked.
3. 'Rock Doc' allegedly traded drugs for sex, prescribed 1.4M+ opioids
The Department of Justice charged 32 people in Tennessee, including Jeffrey Young, a nurse practitioner known as the "Rock Doc," as part of a massive crackdown in April.
4. Florida pain clinic owner sentenced to 6+ years in prison for Medicare fraud
American Pain Management owner Scott Novick was sentenced to more than six years in prison — plus three years of supervised release — for participating in a $2.2 million Medicare fraud scheme, according to the DOJ.
5. Pain clinic, ASC face lawsuit over $1.7M medical equipment debt
Erie, Pa.-based Tri-State Pain Institute faced several lawsuits related to its finances and claims of a MRSA outbreak in 2017. The latest suit was filed Nov. 13.