At the 2011 Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference in Chicago, Kenny Hancock, president and chief development officer at Meridian Surgical Partners, shared a presentation on how physicians can successfully develop a spine-oriented ambulatory surgery center.
The spine market has grown dramatically over the past 15 years and had an estimated value of nearly $5 billion in 2010. Market drivers for spine include a shift toward minimally invasive surgeries, including laminectomies, ALIF, PLIF and TLIF; technology that enables MIS to be performed; anesthesia with regional blocks and portable pain pumps; and growing acceptance among insurance companies as more studies show the clinical efficacy of spine surgery.
Minimally invasive spine surgery benefits include smaller incisions, less blood loss, faster recovery, lower costs and no need for a hospital stay, among other benefits. Physicians experience benefits themselves: Developing and operating a spine center allows physicians to take more control of their surgical environment, be more productive and take advantage of more income opportunities.
When developing a spine center, physicians must address several issues, including project scope, reimbursement, surgical case volume and real estate structure, financing and equipment planning. Other development issues that require due diligence and careful planning are implant costs, staffing costs, reimbursement and payor contracts, anesthesia and equipment costs.
Mr. Hancock pointed out that it will be critical for physicians to address patient education about spine surgery. This may involve inviting patients to a tour and educating them on spine surgery expectations.
Related Articles on Spine:
6 Ways to Increase Spine Surgery Productivity in Surgery Centers
Value-Priced Implants Can Yield Savings for Orthopedics and Spine Surgery
Assessing Orthopedic and Spine Case Profitability
The spine market has grown dramatically over the past 15 years and had an estimated value of nearly $5 billion in 2010. Market drivers for spine include a shift toward minimally invasive surgeries, including laminectomies, ALIF, PLIF and TLIF; technology that enables MIS to be performed; anesthesia with regional blocks and portable pain pumps; and growing acceptance among insurance companies as more studies show the clinical efficacy of spine surgery.
Minimally invasive spine surgery benefits include smaller incisions, less blood loss, faster recovery, lower costs and no need for a hospital stay, among other benefits. Physicians experience benefits themselves: Developing and operating a spine center allows physicians to take more control of their surgical environment, be more productive and take advantage of more income opportunities.
When developing a spine center, physicians must address several issues, including project scope, reimbursement, surgical case volume and real estate structure, financing and equipment planning. Other development issues that require due diligence and careful planning are implant costs, staffing costs, reimbursement and payor contracts, anesthesia and equipment costs.
Mr. Hancock pointed out that it will be critical for physicians to address patient education about spine surgery. This may involve inviting patients to a tour and educating them on spine surgery expectations.
Related Articles on Spine:
6 Ways to Increase Spine Surgery Productivity in Surgery Centers
Value-Priced Implants Can Yield Savings for Orthopedics and Spine Surgery
Assessing Orthopedic and Spine Case Profitability