Becker's Spine Review

27 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT Do ACOs improve spine surgery outcomes? 4 key findings By Laura Dyrda A new study published in The Spine Journal examined the im- pact of ACOs on outcomes for spine surgery. Study authors examined retrospective data from national Medicare claims for procedures that occurred between 2009 and 2014. The 344,813 patients in the study either underwent lumbar spine procedures as part of an ACO or outside of the ACO. Most, 97 percent, of the patients underwent surgery outside of the ACO. The researchers found: 1. There were modest changes in patient outcomes among both groups during the study period, but the improvements were "slightly more dramatic" among patients who didn't participate in the ACO. 2. Between 2012 and 2014, the patients who were in ACOs report- ed an 18 percent increase in odds of 90-day complications and 14 percent greater chance of 90-day readmissions when compared with patients who did not participate in the ACO. 3. Both groups reported similar hospital mortality. 4. The study authors concluded ACOs did not demonstrate better postoperative outcomes for morbidity, mortality or readmissions. "These results indicate that meaningful changes in postoperative out- comes should not be anticipated based on organizational participa- tion in ACOs at present." n How Hospital for Special Surgery plans to expand nationally & globally By Mackenzie Garrity N ew York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery is the oldest ortho- pedic-focused hospital in the U.S., and in recent years, it has seen dramatic growth, The Wall Street Journal reported. As the U.S. population ages and health and fitness become more important, the hospital is looking at various was to expand. While many hospitals focus on mergers and acqui- sitions, Hospital for Special Surgery's expan- sion plan centers around multiplying. This year, the hospital will open two loca- tions in New York City, including a sports medicine building and an outpatient facility. Additionally, Hospital for Special Surgery is developing outposts and collaboration ini- tiatives in New York City, West Palm Beach, Fla., and Aspen, Colo. The reason for expansion? CEO Louis Sha- piro attributes it to reaching community members closer to their homes. "Our strat- egy for growth stems from our ability to de- velop the HSS model and extend our reach and impact. There's more demand because people are more active," he told The Wall Street Journal. Hospital for Special Surgery's new Florida facility is designed to attract patients from South America and patients in the Southern U.S. On the flip side, Hospital for Special Surgery partnered with Aspen Valley Hospi- tal to co-manage an orthopedic practice. Many patients who travel nationally and in- ternationally to receive care at the hospital visit the New York City location. Mr. Shapiro estimates 6 percent of the patients at the New York City location are from the area while the other 94 percent drive or fly. n Excelsior Orthopaedics buys Sterling Medical Park office building from GI physician — 3 insights By Eric Oliver B uffalo, N.Y.-based Excelsior Orthopaedics purchased Sterling Medical Park in Orchard Park, N.Y., from gastroenterologist Mark St. Marie, MD, for $3.1 million, The Buffalo News report- ed. Three things to know: 1. The 16,590-square-foot medical office building sits on 3.02 acres. The building was constructed in 2012. 2. The medical office building currently houses Western New York Ear, Nose and Throat as well as several local physicians. 3. The office building used to house Dr. St. Marie's practice, but he moved the practice to a new building in Orchard Park. n

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