9
SPINE
SURGEONS
Spinal Fusion Price in 30 Largest US Cities
By Laura Dyrda
O
f the 30 largest cities in the U.S., San
Jose, Calif., is the most expensive
place to receive cervical spine sur-
gery, according to Healthcare Blue Book.
e price for cervical spinal fusion includes
the hospitalization, physician services and
anesthesia fees, according to Healthcare Blue
Book. e price is calculated based on the
amount health plans have paid on claims.
Here are the prices for the 30 largest cities in
the United States, based on population from
the 2010 U.S. Census.
1. San Jose, Calif.: $36,522
2. San Francisco: $36,201
3. New York City: $30,728
4. Los Angeles: $29,880
5. San Diego: $29,570
6. Las Vegas: $28,315
7. Portland, Ore.: $28,296
8. Seattle: $27,752
9. Philadelphia: $27,522
10. Chicago: $26,927
11. Phoenix: $26,882
12. Boston: $26,548
13: Washington, D.C.: $26,532
14. Denver: $25,989
15. Indianapolis: $25,379
16. Baltimore: $25,343
17. Dallas: $25,334
18. Houston: $25,279
19. Milwaukee: $25,137
20. Columbus, Ohio: $24,949
21. Austin, Texas: $24,938
22. Detroit: $24,769
23. Fort Worth, Texas: $24,657
24. Jacksonville, Fla.: $24,639
25. Nashville, Tenn.: $24,175
26. Charlotte, N.C.: $24,123
27. Louisville, Ky.: $23,909
28. Memphis, Tenn.: $23,542
29. El Paso, Texas: $22,783
30. San Antonio: $21,810 n
Swedish-Cherry Hill Neuroscience Chair Dr. Johnny Delashaw
Steps Down Amid Investigation
By Megan Wood
J
ohnny B. Delashaw, MD, resigned from his post as chair
of the Seattle-based Swedish Neuroscience Institute
on the Cherry Hill campus on March 1, 2017, amid a
state health regulatory investigation into complaints filed
against him, The Seattle Times reports.
Here are five things to know:
1. On Feb. 10, 2017, The Seattle Times published an inves-
tigative report into the spine and neurosurgery services at
Providence Health & Services Swedish-Cherry Hill hospital.
The report revealed the health system decided to overhaul
Cherry Hill's neuroscience program to treat more high risk
patients. The invasive brain and spine procedures generat-
ed around $500 million in net operating revenue in 2015
as well as saw higher Medicare reimbursement per inpa-
tient visit than any other hospital of its size.
2. Dr. Delashaw joined the Cherry Hill team in 2013, bring-
ing in 661 inpatient cases resulting in more than $86 mil-
lion in billed charges within his first 16 months. Medical
staff reported concerns about Dr. Delashaw, citing he "cre-
ated a culture of retribution, making it difficult to question
his decisions," The Seattle Times reported. Other voiced
concerns regarded patient care, inappropriate surgeries
and little accountability.
3. After analyzing The Seattle Times report, the Department
of Health decided to launch an investigation into two
complaints filed against Dr. Delashaw in the past 12
months.
4. Dr. Delashaw's resignation comes about a week after
Anthony Armada left his post as CEO of Seattle-based
Swedish Health Services on Feb. 20.
5. Interim CEO Guy Hudson sent a memo to Swedish
staff on March 2: "As a team, we are firmly committed to
supporting our patients and caregivers and are focused
on what is most important: safe, compassionate and
high-quality care." n
