Archive for February, 2011
Cardiology: A Blood Test for Coronary Artery Disease
A blood test that can identify obstructive coronary artery disease in its early stages? Talk about an impact considering over 17 million Americans suffer from coronary artery disease (CAD), a treatable disease if diagnosed early. Technologies such as PET, CTA, and MRI have come a long way in assisting in diagnosing CAD before a cath lab is required, but due to safety concerns and a cost-sensitive environment, they are not prescribed until symptoms appear. Read More »
Promising Laser Treatment for Brain Cancer
CMS has excellent news for the AutoLITT system: a new technology add-on payment for FY 2011. The AutoLITT system (Monteris Medical) is a recently approved laser designed for the treatment of recurrent grade IV glioblastoma brain tumors. There are three primary endovascular intracranial codes (DRGs 25, 26, and 27) that deal with the procedure. Reimbursement now ranges from $24,500 to $11,000 depending on the complications. The new add-on payment will increase the reimbursement for hospitals by up to $5,300. Read More »
Robotics Take a New Turn…Literally
First, there was a three-armed surgical robot. Then, an orthopedic robot came along. What�s next? A robotic snake? As a matter of fact, yes. Think about being able to reach just about any region of the body with one incision. Cardiorobotics was first founded in 2005 and is developing the cardioARM�, �a snake robot for minimally-invasive cardiac interventions, such as treatments for patients suffering with heart arrhythmias.� With the 10mm diameter computer-controlled device that allows for 105 degrees of freedom, a lot can be achieved. Read More »
First, there was a three-armed surgical robot. Then, an orthopedic robot came along. Whats next? A robotic snake? As a matter of fact, yes. Think about being able to reach just about any region of the body with one incision. Cardiorobotics was first founded in 2005 and is developing the cardioARM, a snake robot for minimally-invasive cardiac interventions, such as treatments for patients suffering with heart arrhythmias. With the 10mm diameter computer-controlled device that allows for 105 degrees of freedom, a lot can be achieved. Read More »
CMS Sends a Message on Stents
Reimbursement for drug-coated stents (DRG 246, 247) equals out to less than a 2% increase for 2010. In comparison, bare metal stents rose over 4% (DRG 249, 250). Considering the unadjusted consumer price index for hospitals and related service rose 7.5% in the last 12 months, maybe CMS is trying to tell us something. Read More »
FDA Defibrillator Recalls Get Focused Attention
In doing a quick review of the FDAs website, I found that in the last 12 months alone there were over 70 external defibrillator recalls, which is significant considering in 2005, there were only nine defibrillator recalls. In a market where external defibrillators are worth over $600 million per year, going from nine recalls to 70 in five years is a major cause for concern. Read More »
Getting Clear on “Meaningful Use”
If hospitals meet the �meaningful use� requirements of The HITECH Act, they will receive payments estimated to range from $9.7 billion to $27.4 billion (over eight years). The goal of the bill is to help offset EHR technology startup costs that can begin at $2 million (based on a 200 bed facility). Payments will start as early as May 2011, so understanding and delivering on meaningful use is time sensitive. With so much at stake, users have asked CMS to expand on the definition of meaningful use. Read More »
If hospitals meet the meaningful use requirements of The HITECH Act, they will receive payments estimated to range from $9.7 billion to $27.4 billion (over eight years). The goal of the bill is to help offset EHR technology startup costs that can begin at $2 million (based on a 200 bed facility). Payments will start as early as May 2011, so understanding and delivering on meaningful use is time sensitive. With so much at stake, users have asked CMS to expand on the definition of meaningful use. Read More »
Artificial Spinal Disc, Stable Reimbursement & Lower Cost
Although new technologies, such as nucleus repair devices, have helped extend the life of spinal discs, over 200,000 spinal surgeries are still performed each year. Artificial discs (CHARITÉ), first FDA approved in 2004, are an alternative to spinal fusion, and clinical trials have shown that there is no statistical difference between artificial discs and anterior lumbar interbody fusion. Studies revealed that the overall success rate was 57.8% for artificial discs versus 51.2% for anterior lumbar interbody fusion, and patient satisfaction was also similar at 78% versus 72%, respectively. However, data indicated that artificial disc patients recovered faster and returned to normal life sooner than fusion procedures. Read More »
The Role of Physicians in Outpatient Surgery Costs
Turns out there are two factors that drive surgical costs: time/labor and consumables. According to a National Health Statistics Report, the average time spent in the operating room during an ASC outpatient surgery was 43.2 minutes compared to 61.7 minutes in hospital centers. Patients also spent less time in the postoperative recovery room in an ASC (79.0 verses 53.1 minutes). This better patient throughput also results in a more efficient usage of capital equipment. Read More »