Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/908020
34 GASTROENTEROLOGY Florida Gastroenterologist Innocent in 'Rushed Colonoscopy' Case — 7 Insights By Eric Oliver A Florida Circuit Court found gastro- enterologist David Vastola, DO, of a Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.-based practice, innocent aer a patient claimed he allegedly rushed a colonoscopy missing his developing colon cancer, the Daily Business Review reports. Here's what you should know: 1. In 2011, Dr. Vastola performed a colo- noscopy on the patient and reported no abnormalities. However, when the patient underwent his next colonoscopy in 2013, he was diagnosed with advanced-stage colon cancer. 2. Dr. Vastola's attorney argued the patient's cancer had an atypical development, which was the reason Dr. Vastola did not discover- ing it in 2011. 3. e patient regularly underwent colonos- copies starting in 1990s. e patient said he developed polyps "more oen than the average person." 4. e patient had a colonoscopy in 2008 where benign polyps were discovered and removed. None of them were in the part of the colon where cancer develops. 5. e patient argued when he saw Dr. Vastola in 2011 he claims had cancer in the transverse colon. Dr. Vastola's colonoscopy allegedly took eight minutes, which Dr. Vas- tola's attorney argued was routine. 6. The patient's attorney argued the pa- tient's cancer couldn't have developed as quickly as it did, and that cancer typically takes five years to evolve after a polyp is formed. The patient now has terminal stage four cancer. 7. e patient was seeking $1.1 million to cover his medical bills and additional juror- determined damages. Aer 1.5 hours, the jury ruled in favor of the defense.n Medicare Saved $8.8M by Shifting Colonoscopies to Tennessee ASCs: 3 Quick Facts By Mary Rechtoris M edicare accrued a substantial amount of savings by moving colonoscopies to Tennes- see ASCs, according to Ambulatory Surgery Center Association 2014 data. Here are three quick notes: 1. In 2014, Medicare saved $8.8 million by patients undergoing colonoscopies at Tennessee ASCs. 2. The program saved $5 million-plus by shifting upper GI procedures to surgery centers in the state. 3. Nearly three years ago, Medicare accrued savings of $26 million by having Tennessee ASCs perform cata- ract procedures. n The patient was seeking $1.1 million to cover his medi- cal bills and additional juror-determined damages. Call: 888.416.2409 info@eSutures.com eSutures.com We Stock It, So You Don't Have To! From sutures to endomechanicals, to implants and instruments, we have over 1 million items in stock and ready to fulfill your just-in- time ordering needs! *Offer expires 12/31/17. Limit 1 per customer. Contact Us Today to Start Saving!