Dr. Uppal will be speaking at the Becker’s 16th Annual Future of Spine + The Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference. To learn more and register, click here. Contact Maura Jodoin at mjodoin@beckershealthcare.com or Kristelle Khazzaka at Kkhazzaka@beckershealthcare.com for further information about sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities.
Question: What should an ASC consider before adding spine surgery to its services?
Dr. Sunny Uppal: The type of spine cases done at an ASC is based on:
• Safety of the patient in doing the case in an ambulatory environment. This includes the comorbidities of the patient, skill of the surgeon and quality of the surgery center and staff member competence.
• Case cost and reimbursement ratio
• Acceptance of the procedure by the community as the medical standard of care of an ambulatory procedure.
Q: Which spine procedures do you think will move outpatient next?
SU: The limiting factor in cases done at ASCs is soft tissue dissection and pain control. The next type of case that will move to the ACS will include any case in which soft tissue dissection can be minimized. This will include minimal invasive techniques to place posterior pedicle instrumentation for lumbar fusions.
More articles on outpatient spine:
4 key points on Laser Spine Institute — Providers have treated 75,000+ chronic pain patients since 2005
ASCs to grow at 6.6% CAGR in spinal fusion market: 4 things to know
7 outpatient spine stories — Nov. 7, 2017
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.