At the 12th Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference in Chicago on June 13th, a panel consisting of Nick Pachuda, vice president of Strategic Innovations and Total Solution; James Lynch, MD, Spine Nevada; and Stephen H. Hochschuler, MD, chairman of Texas Back Institute discussed key trends for the future of spine.
As ASCs become more popular sites for minimally invasive spine procedures, the panelists stressed this trend has made hospitals the more "expensive option" and commented on the lack of opposition around outpatient spine.
Mr. Pachuda explained spine care is shifting from inpatient to outpatient services. With regard to investment in devices, Mr. Pachuda also emphasized a focus on biologics and technology that address higher-acuity cases.
Here are three additional key concepts about the future of spine as discussed by the panel:
1. Data importance is increasing. Data on outcomes, patient satisfaction and cost of care is not only what drives payer preference but also patient preference.
2. Minimally invasive techniques have become increasingly more popular. Not only has technology paved the way for less invasive techniques, but it has also created a more informed patient. Patients look for technology advancements in anesthesia, shorter procedure times and shorter recovery times. Outpatient support, effective implants and MIS technology were cited as the main focus of the spine industry, usually most prominent in ASCs.
3. Change in healthcare is widely based on IT, cost and quality of care. Although Dr. Hochschuler stresses the fact that healthcare is "fifteen-years behind the IT world," much of what improves customer care and quality is based in IT, especially with regard to education, cost of care and patient satisfaction.
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