Here are seven updates for ASC leaders to know for April 2, 2018.
Laser Spine Institute, anesthesiologist held liable for 2014 patient death
A jury awarded $20 million to the family of a patient who died hours after being discharged from Laser Spine Institute in Philadelphia. Anesthesiologist Glenn Rubenstein, MD, treated Sharon Kimble at the Philadelphia center in January 2014. The surgery center allegedly discharged Ms. Kimble while she still had a significant amount of Dilaudid in her system and instructed her to take additional pain medication. Ms. Kimble received a dosage of Dilaudid that was six times higher than the amount originally ordered. Dr. Rubenstein said the dosage was necessary due to the patient's high tolerance to pain medication. Ms. Kimble later died while recovering from the procedure in a nearby hotel.
Wills Eye receives hospital designation again after 12-year tussle
CMS reversed its decision on Philadelphia-based Wills Eye Institute, agreeing to reclassify the facility as a hospital. Wills Eye has been embroiled in several legal battles since 2006, when CMS reclassified the center as an ASC after it sold its inpatient business. The practice sought to regain hospital designation on several occasions.
Gastroenterology Associates of North Mississippi expanding service through new clinic
Oxford-based Gastroenterology Associates of North Mississippi opened a new clinic in New Albany, Miss. The practice joined the Multi-Specialty Clinic at Baptist Memorial Hospital — Union County (Miss.) in early March.
AG Jeff Sessions: Physician, clinic owner 'flooded our streets' with 18k illegal prescriptions, including opioids
A federal jury convicted a Houston physician and pain management clinic owner of running a "pill mill" scheme involving millions of doses of opioids and other controlled substances. Shane Faithful, owner of the Houston-based Gulfton Community Health Center, and physician Gazelle Craig, DO, were found guilty of operating an illegal pill mill out of the pain management clinic from March 2015 through July 2017.
OrthoIndy 1st in Indiana to install Mazor X Robotic Guidance System
Indianapolis-based OrthoIndy became the first hospital in Indiana to install the Mazor X Robotic Guidance System. The Mazor X system integrates preoperative planning tools and analytics with intraoperative guidance to assist surgeons during minimally invasive surgery.
Stryker launches power device for small bone surgical procedures
Stryker aims to replace cord-and-console setups for extremities procedures with its F1 Small Bone Power System, a tool with five motors and two gripping styles. The Stryker F1 System features SmartGrip technology, which combines cord, console and handpiece electronics into a single device to improve maneuverability and reduce the chance of sterility breaks.
Physicians Endoscopy wins best place to work honor
Bucks Happening named Jamison, Pa.-based Physicians Endoscopy the winner of its 2018 Everything Bucks: Places to Work contest. PE was recognized over 16 other entrants.