Becker's ASC Review

73 ORTHOPEDICS 8 orthopedics and ASC trends in 2020 By Alan Condon, Laura Dyrda, Anuja Vaidya and Brian Zimmerman O rthopedic surgery centers experi- enced a slowdown during the early days of the pandemic as many states placed restrictions on elective surgeries. However, centers and physicians are recover- ing volume and relying on technology such as telehealth and data analytics to move them into the future. During the Becker's Healthcare Orthopedics + ASC Virtual Event on Aug. 26 and 27, several experts shared the big trends and concepts for orthopedics, total joint replace- ments, sports medicine and ASCs in eight engaging sessions. Here are eight big observations from the event: 1. More consolidation in the ASC space is likely accelerated by the pandemic, but the consolidation won't necessarily be with health system or ASC chains. Many surgeons will want to remain independent from hospitals and decide to consolidate with other local and regional physician groups when possible. Some markets will also see an increase in hospital joint ventures and there is a huge opportunity for ASC chains that can add value. 2. ASCs and surgeon practices will need to invest in more sophisticated data analytics capabilities and platforms to keep up with patient expectations in the future. ese capabilities will also allow them to control more of the episode of care and demonstrate value to payers for risk-based contracts. 3. e future is bright for orthopedics in ASCs as patients are still wary about going to the hospital for elective procedures. ASCs that have virtual check-ins, virtual schedul- ing, postoperative home care and virtual physical therapy capabilities will be best positioned to thrive in the next two to three years. 4. e pandemic has shown that quite a lot can be achieved through telehealth. It's important it is for patients to be able to do physical therapy on their own at home when elective surgeries stopped and many outpatient facilities closed earlier in the year. Providing resources and communicating with patients online as well as working with other physical therapy practices has been key in ensuring patients receive the appropriate care. 5. e pandemic has reduced telehealth hesitancy among orthopedic surgeons. For physicians that may have tried telehealth in the past but stopped due to perceived inef- ficiencies with the technology, COVID-19 has pushed them to get comfortable with the platforms. Many surgeons are likely to con- tinue using the technology in some capacity once the pandemic subsides. 6. Changes to telehealth reimbursement rules helped fuel widespread adoption of the tech- nology among orthopedic practices. How embedded this technology continues to be in orthopedic care largely depends on whether the rules around telehealth reimbursement remain flexible aer the pandemic. 7. ere are exciting new advances taking place in the orthobiologics or regenerative medicine space. Clinical trials are occur- ring involving advanced biological agents that could slow down the progression of osteoarthritis. We may even start seeing these used in clinical practice within the next five years. 8. e best investment an orthopedic prac- tice can make is in its clinical pathways and protocols. Driving variation out and stan- dardizing protocols will help improve patient care. Process improvement should be valued as much as advanced technology. n Dr. Ayman Daouk sues Orlando Health for $800K after dropping federal case By Angie Stewart O rthopedic surgeon Ayman Daouk, MD, is once again suing Orlando (Fla.) Health, this time for $800,000, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Dr. Daouk, who first filed a federal whistleblower lawsuit against Orlando Health in 2019 and dropped the suit voluntarily in June of this year, is now suing his former employer for alleged retaliation and violation of anti- kickback laws. Dr. Daouk is seeking $800,000 from Orlando Health and two of its subsidiaries, Orlando Health Physician Associ- ates and Orlando Health Physician Group, according to an Aug. 28 filing in circuit court. Dr. Daouk was an employee of Orlando Health Physi- cian Associates from 2009-18. His latest lawsuit against his former employer echoes allegations from his previ- ous federal one, which both federal and state attorneys declined to get involved in. When he voluntarily dropped the first lawsuit, he reserved the rights to sue Orlando Health again on the same grounds. Dr. Daouk alleges he was fired for refusing to exclusively refer patients to Orlando Health facilities, a requirement the system instituted "with threats made against those who failed to comply." His lawsuit cites emails allegedly warning him against using non-Orlando Health imaging centers. "Because Orlando Health owns [Orlando Health Imag- ing Center] and Dr. Phillips Hospital, as well as Orlando Health Physician Group and Physician Associates, and these entities have compensation arrangements with their physicians, there exists an unbroken chain of financial relationships that render these referrals as violations of the Stark Law," the lawsuit states. n

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