At the 18th Annual Ambulatory Surgery Centers Conference in Chicago on Oct. 28, John Atwater, MD, McLean County Orthopedics, and Richard Kaul, MD, New Jersey Spine and Rehabilitation, participated in a panel discussion moderated by Jeff Leland, CEO, Blue Chip Surgical Center Partners, on key trends and ideas for orthopedics and spine in ASCs.
The past few years have seen an increase in spine procedures being done in the outpatient center.
“Very simply, the minimally invasive spine sector is growing,” Dr. Kaul said. “I see this sector growing, and I see it growing within the outpatient community.”
A decrease in blood loss and post-operative pain and improving technology are things that have facilitated that increase, Dr. Kaul said. However, learning to do these procedures in the outpatient setting requires more than just a cursory understanding.
“As the transition is being made from an inpatient to an outpatient, it’s really important to identify people you can go spend time with,” Dr. Kaul said. “Going to academic sources and cadaver courses are good, but it’s better to go see it in a clinical practice.”
Dr. Atwater did just that. He was not comfortable doing anterior cervical discectomies until he went and observed a surgeon who completed five within two and a half hours. Dr. Atwater also brought along his OR director, a nurse and first assistant to observe the procedure to ensure the entire staff was comfortable doing the procedure.
Drs. Kaul and Atwater also spoke about the ongoing issue of insurance reimbursements and both physicians agreed that the best way to justify the procedures is to continue to collect good clinical data. The key, Dr. Kaul said, is to create a dialog with the carrier and convince them that it makes more sense to go the procedures in an outpatient setting. Stressing that you can do the procedures safely, efficiently and for less money compared to a hospital setting are strong arguments.
Related Articles on Orthopedic and Spine in ASCs:
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The past few years have seen an increase in spine procedures being done in the outpatient center.
“Very simply, the minimally invasive spine sector is growing,” Dr. Kaul said. “I see this sector growing, and I see it growing within the outpatient community.”
A decrease in blood loss and post-operative pain and improving technology are things that have facilitated that increase, Dr. Kaul said. However, learning to do these procedures in the outpatient setting requires more than just a cursory understanding.
“As the transition is being made from an inpatient to an outpatient, it’s really important to identify people you can go spend time with,” Dr. Kaul said. “Going to academic sources and cadaver courses are good, but it’s better to go see it in a clinical practice.”
Dr. Atwater did just that. He was not comfortable doing anterior cervical discectomies until he went and observed a surgeon who completed five within two and a half hours. Dr. Atwater also brought along his OR director, a nurse and first assistant to observe the procedure to ensure the entire staff was comfortable doing the procedure.
Drs. Kaul and Atwater also spoke about the ongoing issue of insurance reimbursements and both physicians agreed that the best way to justify the procedures is to continue to collect good clinical data. The key, Dr. Kaul said, is to create a dialog with the carrier and convince them that it makes more sense to go the procedures in an outpatient setting. Stressing that you can do the procedures safely, efficiently and for less money compared to a hospital setting are strong arguments.
Related Articles on Orthopedic and Spine in ASCs:
Changing Relationships Between Orthopedic Physicians, Hospitals and Payors
7 Tips for Success With Spine Surgery in ASCs
8 Research and Development Projects for New Orthopedic & Spine Technology