Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1119391
52 HEALTHCARE NEWS Why Novant Health partners with Microsoft, Google & others to bring AI to orthopedics By Laura Dyrda B ryan Edwards, MD, senior vice pres- ident of Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, and David Homesley, MD, chief of total joint replacement at Novant Health, discussed the big trends and opportunities for artificial intelligence and robotics in orthopedics today. Question: What role does artificial in- telligence play in orthopedic surgery quality and outcomes today? Dr. Bryan Edwards: Artificial intelligence is being adopted more by the orthopedic surgery community; a promising trend that can help healthcare systems better deliver value-based care. As we move more toward this model of care, we not only need robust data collection systems, but tools that can interpret this data effectively. at's where AI comes in. Our CEO, Carl Armato, and CMO, Eric Eskioglu, MD, have a vision to become leaders in AI by adopting its use into our daily clinical work. To this end, we are partnering with multiple organizations such as Microso and Google in order to help make healthcare data actionable and then to build care and optimization pathways to modify or remove risk factors. is will, in turn, help us increase the safety and quality of care while helping to lower costs as well as physician burnout. Q: What is the potential for AI in orthopedics? BE: We are already using AI to identify the risk factors for poor outcomes aer hip and knee replacement. We have established preoperative selection criteria based on body mass index, hemoglobin levels, diabetes control, nutrition and smoking status. If the patient does not meet the criteria, the total joint navigator routes the patient into our preoperative optimization clinic. In this clin- ic, we can work with the patient on weight loss, better blood sugar control and smoking cessation. Our readmission rates for total joint replacements are well below national averages, in part due to this program. Q: How do other technologies like ro- botics improve orthopedic surgeries, including total joint replacements? Dr. David Homesley: Robotics can im- prove the accuracy of the procedure and give the surgeon instantaneous feedback during the surgery with various measure- ments. When doing a knee replacement, we are trying to balance the flexion and exten- sion gaps. This is based on tension across the medial and lateral collateral ligaments. Robotic surgery allows for measurements in actual numbers that the surgeon can use to help balance the knee. Q: Do you see robotic technology be- coming more ubiquitous for orthope- dics in the future? DH: ere still needs to be long-term studies for comparing robotic surgery with our current methods, but the early data s promis- ing. e early data shows more consistent alignment and bone cuts among all patients. Hopefully, this will allow for better balanced knees and even better durability of the implants. Q: What should we expect from fu- ture iterations of robotic technology to continue improving outcomes for orthopedic patients? DH: e preparation for the robotic surgery will continue to improve, from obtaining pre- operative studies to intraoperative efficiency, so that the patient will continue to experience improved outcomes. n Orthopedic surgeon pays $84,666 to settle kickback allegations over pain cream medical directorship arrangement: 4 things to know By Laura Dyrda B randon Claflin, DO, paid $84,666 to settle allegations of accepting illegal kickbacks in exchange for writing prescriptions, the Department of Justice reports. . Four things to know: 1. Dr. Claflin was one of several healthcare providers targeted in an investi- gation that sought to determine whether providers were accepting payment from OK Compounding to prescribe a pain cream. 2. According to the OIG, Dr. Claflin began prescribing pain cream to patients in 2013 and received compensation he described as medical director fees on an hourly basis. The OIG, however, alleged this compensation was a kickback. 3. Some of the patients that Dr. Claflin prescribed the pain cream were in- sured by Tricare and the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs of the U.S. Department of Labor. 4. The payment resolves all allegations of the relationship between Dr. Claflin and OK Compounding. There wasn't a determination of liability. n