Grand Rounds June


Remote Monitoring of Implanted Devices Speeds Clinical Decision-Making

A wireless monitoring system that automatically sends information about an abnormal heart rhythm from a device in the patient’s chest to the cardiologist’s office significantly cuts the time between when a problem arises and a treatment decision is made, according to research presented earlier this spring at the American College of Cardiology’s 59th annual scientific session. The research was presented by the study’s national lead investigator, George Crossley, MD, cardiologist for Saint Thomas Heart at Baptist Hospital and Saint Thomas Research Institute.  
 
The Clinical Evaluation Of Remote Notification to Reduce Time to Clinical Decision (CONNECT) evaluated a wireless remote monitoring and notification system based on Medtronic’s Conexus-enabled cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). Approximately 500,000 patients in the United States have a CRT-D or ICD, and the study recruited 1,997 patients from 136 sites in the United States. The wireless telemetry system was compared with standard care, in which a cardiologist reviews information from an implanted device during an in-person clinic visit. The study showed that remote monitoring and automatic notification cut by nearly two-thirds the time to clinical decision-making.
 
“This system allows the clinician to better manage the patient’s disease by making critical information immediately available,” said Crossley, who is the lead national investigator for the study. “By learning about clinical events earlier, we have the opportunity to intervene earlier, improve outcome and prevent disease progression.”
 
Data from CONNECT showed a significant reduction in the time between the onset of a clinical problem and a clinical decision on how to manage it (29.5 days, on average, in the standard-care group vs. 10.5 days, on average, in the remote-monitoring group). There was also a significant reduction in the average length of hospitalization (4.0 days vs. 3.3 days, respectively), which resulted in an estimated savings of $1,659 per hospitalization, on average, for patients in the remote-monitoring group.
 

Innovative CellSearch® Being Used at Tennessee Oncology

Last month Tennessee Oncology announced it has added the innovative CellSearch® Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) Test to measure CTCs to help oncologists predict patient prognosis and develop personalized patient care plans. The CellSearch® CTC Test is used to predict survival in patients with metastatic breast, colorectal or prostate cancer at any time during the course of treatment.
 
The CellSearch® CTC Test is the first diagnostic test used to automate the capture and detection of CTCs, tumor cells that have detached from solid tumors and entered the patient’s blood. It presents an important shift in the management of metastatic breast, colorectal or prostate cancer patients as an adjunct to standard methods of monitoring disease status and to provide a more complete picture of patient prognosis. The advanced technology makes it possible to detect as low as one CTC in 7.5 mL of whole blood and provides the specificity of greater than 99 percent.
 

Wang First in U.S. to Implant New Intacs® to Treat Keratoconus

On April 30, Addition Technology, Inc., the maker of Intacs® corneal implants, AlphaSphere™ orbital implants and the AlphaCor™ artificial cornea, announced that Nashville-based surgeon Ming Wang, MD, PhD, became the first in the United States to perform an Intacs® procedure using the recently FDA-approved expanded range for more severe keratoconus.
 
“Keratoconus affects one in every 200-500 Americans. Patients with this disease suffer from debilitating, progressive loss of vision, for which we had no effective treatment in the past except risky corneal transplantation. The advent of the Intacs® technology represents a revolution in our ability to treat this disease by improving our patients’ vision, and delaying or even potentially avoiding corneal transplantation,” said Wang, director of Wang Vision Cataract and LASIK Center. “The recent FDA approval of an expanded range of Intacs® treatments for patients who have a more severe keratoconic disease represents a significant advance in technology, and we are excited to be a part of this effort.”
 
For patients with keratoconus, the cornea becomes weak and begins to steepen, causing a bulge-like appearance and deteriorating vision. The steeper the bulge, the more difficult it becomes for contact lenses to stay on the eye, and the higher the risk of corneal issues such as scarring. Intacs® flatten the cornea, improving visual acuity and comfort with contact lens wear.
 
Maxim Meyer, a 19-year-old student from Franklin, became the first patient to receive the implant. Meyer was diagnosed with keratoconus several years ago and has suffered progressive loss of sight despite all treatments with the current available technologies. He had been told that the only option left to improve his sight would be an invasive corneal transplantation, which carries a lifelong risk of graft rejection. The new Intacs® procedure offers new and exciting hope that Meyer may be able to have improved vision and preserve his own cornea.
 

ClaimTrust Introduces New Multi-Audit Tool for Hospitals

Mufreesboro-based ClaimTrust®, a provider of revenue cycle tools and services for hospitals, recently announced the availability of its newest product, InSight Audit™, a fully hosted, web-based solution that will provide healthcare organizations with one central location for managing all medical claims audits. Building on the core workflow and reporting capabilities of its industry leading RAC tool, ClaimTrust’s new InSight Audit solution offers a full set of features for submitting, tracking and appealing claims in response to a range of audits, including Medicaid Integrity Plan (MIP), Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) and Zone Program Integrity Contractor (ZPIC).
 
Securely accessed from any browser, this comprehensive audit solution tracks audited claims from chart request all the way through final appeal. It also automatically detects previously audited claims to ensure that the same claim is not audited twice. InSight Audit’s built-in knowledgebase includes winning arguments and appeal letter templates designed to ensure best practices throughout the appeals process. The solution’s inbuilt comprehensive workflow function allows tasks to be distributed across multiple team members, departments and facilities as needed, making it easy to track every element of the process and ensuring accountability at every step. 
 

Fresenius Medical Care West Nashville Launches Area’s First Nocturnal Dialysis Program

Fresenius Medical Care North America, operator of a leading network of dialysis facilities, has launched a new nighttime dialysis program at Fresenius Medical Care West Nashville. The new service, which is the first in-center nocturnal program in the Middle Tennessee region, allows patients to receive treatments in the clinic at night, for eight hours, while sleeping or resting, usually three times a week. In addition to having their days free for other activities, patients often report having more energy and better dialysis results.
 
Nephrology Associates in Nashville provides medical director oversight at Fresenius Medical Care West Nashville. Vito Rocco, MD, is the medical director and Douglas Linfert, MD, oversees the in-center nocturnal program at the facility.
 

Centerstone, Not Alone Partner to Expand Support Services for Soldiers and their Families

Last month, Centerstone and Not Alone announced they are partnering to expand support services available to veterans, active members of the armed forces, and military families. The organizations are providing online support through NotAlone.com, as well as free, in-person mental health services for soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq and their families at participating locations.
 
“War takes a toll on our military service members and their families, and transitioning home after a deployment can be very difficult,” said Robert Williams, PhD, CEO of Centerstone of Indiana. “Physical and mental battle scars, multiple deployments and extended separation can put significant strain on soldiers and their families, leading to substance abuse, divorce and thoughts of suicide. Centerstone is happy to be partnering with Not Alone to see that combat veterans and their loved ones have the support they need when and where they need it.”
 
Launched in 2008, Not Alone provides programs and services to warriors and families impacted by combat stress and PTSD. As part of the partnership, Centerstone and Advantage Behavioral Health are creating a network of mental health providers to meet veterans’ and their families’ needs. The organization is identifying providers who are personally connected to the military either through service themselves or as a family member of a service person. It also is providing specialty training to give those who work with soldiers and their families greater understanding of military culture and the effects of combat stress.
 

TBA Announces Addition of Cook to Board, New Organization Management

The Tennessee Biotech Association (TBA) recently announced that life sciences entrepreneur and investor Joseph C. Cook, Jr., founder and chairman of the board of Ironwood
 
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has been elected to its Board of Directors. The Association also announced that public and government relations firm Hall Strategies has been selected to lead its daily operations beginning in July. 
 
“Joe Cook’s experience in the life sciences sector adds a new dimension to our board at an important time for both our organization and for our industry in Tennessee,” said TBA Chairman Robert V. Acuff, PhD.
 
Cook is co‐founder and principal of Mountain Group Capital, which is focused on acquiring controlling interests in small- to medium-sized companies, and the Limestone Fund, a venture‐ based investment group that was selected in 2009 to receive a TNInvestco Award from the State of Tennessee.
 
The TBA tapped Hall Strategies, a local public and government relations firm, to manage daily operations and provide communications strategy and support. Hall Strategies will take on management of the Association upon the retirement of long‐time president and executive director Joe Rolwing, who announced he will step down in July.
 

Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About!

Awards, Honors, Recognitions

Last month during National Nurses’ Week, Baptist Hospital announced its 2010 nurses of the year in six specialties: surgical, medical, critical care, obstetrical, interventional and peri-operative. For 2010 an additional honor, “Rookie of the Year,” was added. Pictured (l-r) are:
 
Gussie Jones, RN; Steve Rice, LPN; Susie Cox, RN; Sara Hewitt, RN; Tyler Emerson, RN; and Kathy Van Grinsven, RN. (not pictured, Leonard Pollman, RN).
 
For the sixth consecutive year, Belmont University graduates from the master’s program for Family Nurse Practitioners achieved a 100 percent, first-time pass rate on the advanced practice nursing examination for family nurse practitioners, administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
 
The American Hospital Association recently presented it Award of Honor to Jack Bovender, retired chairman and CEO of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). The award recognizes exemplary contributions to the health and well being of people through leadership on major health policies or social initiatives. Bovender received the award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to increasing minority representation in healthcare management through his efforts at HCA, his work with the Institute for Diversity in Health Management and for his personal commitment to the issue.
 
Tom Stearns, FACMPE, was presented with the “Martha Johnson Distinguished Service Award”at the recent Tennessee MGMA Conference. A past president of TMGMA, the honor was awarded for his lifelong commitment both to association and to the profession of medical practice management. Currently, Stearns serves as vice president of the Medical Practice Services Department at State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Company. He has over 30 years experience as a Medical Management Executive.
 
Vanderbilt faculty member Roger Cone, PhD, an expert on the science of obesity, was recently elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for his distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Membership in the NAS is one of the highest honors given to a scientist or engineer in the United States. Cone will be formally inducted into the Academy next April during its 148th annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
 
Judge Daniel Eisenstein and the Davidson County Mental Health Court recently honored Elisabeth M. Dykens, PhD, director of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, in recognition of her work to develop a program for participants in the Mental Health Court who suffer from mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance abuse. 
 
The Sarah Cannon Cancer program at Skyline Medical Center  and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center both have received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS). The award was granted following an on-site inspection and recognizes cancer programs that strive for excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients. Vanderbilt and Skyline were among 82 cancer centers in the United States to achieve this special recognition. Fewer than 20 percent of the programs surveyed received the award.
 

TMA Announces 2010 Physician Leadership College Graduates

The Tennessee Medical Association recently announced the 2010 graduates of the
 
TMA Physician Leadership College. The class represents physicians from multiple specialties across the state of Tennessee. Over the past year, the 11 physicians have completed coursework in collaboration, decision-making, advocacy, media relations and conflict resolution. Six of the 11 graduates are from Middle Tennessee:
 
David Beaird, MD    
Murfreesboro, Surgery   
 
Melinda Henderson, MD   
Nashville, Hospice/Palliative Medicine, Geriatrics & Internal Medicine
 
Leah Patton, MD    
Brentwood, Internal Medicine  
 
Kimberly Rosdeutscher, MD
Hermitage, Pediatrics
 
Jon Andrew Russell, MD 
Franklin, Emergency Medicine  
 
Henry Russell, MD 
Franklin, General and Thoracic Surgery
 

STHS Inducts Four into Seton Society

At the end of April, Saint Thomas Health Services inducted four leaders into the Seton Society, the STHS honorary hall of fame. Named in honor of the first American-born saint, the Seton Society recognizes individuals whose extraordinary spirit of leadership and service to Saint Thomas Hospital, Baptist Hospital and the community exemplifies the tradition of service established by Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, one of the founders of the Sisters of Charity.
 
The 2010 Seton Society inductees are:
 
Richard C. Tomichek, MD, critical care physician and cardiovascular anesthesiologist at Saint Thomas Hospital for more than 28 years;
 
Ronald E. Overfield, MD, retired radiologist at Baptist Hospital who has served as both chief of Radiology and chief of staff for the hospital; and
 
Mike and Linda Curb, whose philanthropic efforts have reached over 50 organizations with a focus on music education and local initiatives. Mike Curb is an active member of the Saint Thomas Health Services Board of Directors, which he joined in 2002 after serving on the Baptist Hospital Board of Directors since 1993.
 

Centerstone Receives $5 Million Recovery Act Award

The Centerstone Research Institute (CRI) has secured a three-year, $5 million grant as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that will allow the mental health provider to create Centerstone’s Career Resource Center. The Career Resource Center will offer healthcare education opportunities, job training, employment placement assistance, and support services to 600 people in five Middle Tennessee counties: Maury, Bedford, Coffee, Marshall, and Lawrence. 
 
Centerstone’s Career Resource Center will offer services to help prepare individuals to select, enter and advance in various areas of the healthcare industry.  As part of the grant-funded program, approximately 420 people will receive funding to complete and receive a certificate or degree, and 290 will be placed into employment following their training.  Multiple support services will be offered through Centerstone’s Career Resource Center, including childcare assistance and interview preparation training. Information about Centerstone’s Career Resource Center is available at www.centerstone.org/careerresourcecenter.
 

Skyline Medical Center Opens Inpatient Epilepsy Monitoring Unit

Nationally known for excellence in neurosciences, Skyline Medical Center opened a new Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) last month, bringing specialized neurological care through monitoring and effective surgical treatments.
 
“Through the epilepsy monitoring capabilities, epilepsy patients in Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky have close-to-home access to the best experts and techniques for determining the source of seizures,” said Skyline Medical Center Neurologist Marcos Cruz, MD.
 
The new epilepsy unit offers individualized patient care for adults with state-of-the-art epilepsy monitoring features such as:
  • 24-hour, continuous video monitoring with simultaneous EEG for monitoring seizures,
  • Special video EEG technology for monitoring adults,
  • 24/7 remote access by epileptologist,
  • Advanced automatic spike detection capability,
  • Video EEG monitoring of patients admitted to ICU setting for status epilepticus,
  • A specialized treatment team, including highly-trained nurses, epileptologists, neurosurgeons, neurologists and a neuropsychologist, and
  • Innovative physician collaboration.
 

Affiliated Creditors, Inc. Expands Revenue Cycle Services

Nashville-based, Affiliated Creditors, Inc. (ACI), recently announced its expansion in the Southeast with a newly-contracted healthcare provider in Alabama. Since 1981, ACI has been providing call center services, associated with the collection of self-pay accounts, for hospitals and physicians.
 
Chad Williams, CEO of ACI, says, “Over the past 29 years, we have developed processes for our clients A/R, which increase their cash flow and reduce their expenses, prior to it becoming bad debt. This successful model has generated new revenue streams within our client base. In a down market, ACI is grateful to its clients who enable us to help the Nashville community by creating twenty new positions for its call center.”
 

Michael Schatzlein, MD, Named STHS CEO

Last month it was announced by the Saint Thomas Health Services Board of Directors that Michael H. Schatzlein, MD, MBA, has been selected as the new president and CEO for the Nashville-based health ministry. Schatzlein is currently president and CEO for Lutheran Health Network (LHN) and Dupont Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind. He is expected to assume leadership of Saint Thomas Health Services on July 1 and will also serve as the ministry market leader for the Nashville/Birmingham markets.
 
Schatzlein has led the eight-facility LHN health system since 2007, having previously served as CEO of the network’s St. Joseph and Dupont Hospitals and as COO of the Network. Schatzlein received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University and MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. After receiving his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine, he was a practicing cardiac surgeon at LHN’s St. Joseph Hospital from 1981 to 1984. Over the next decade he took on physician leadership positions and performed northern Indiana’s first heart transplant in 1985 before transitioning into executive hospital roles.
 

CredenceHealth Adds Lynch as SVP of Business Development

Nashville-based CredenceHealth, which provides real-time clinical intelligence to hospitals, providers and health plans, announced Dan Lynch has joined the company as senior vice president of Business Development. Lynch joins CredenceHealth from Zynx Health where he was responsible for Strategic Alliances. His experience in healthcare sales, marketing and operations management include 11 years with General Electric Healthcare and 13 years with Becton Dickinson. Lynch has worked with clients at some of the largest companies in the healthcare industry to help bring innovative solutions to the market to impact quality and cost.
 

Harwood Named VP, General Counsel at Passport

Nashville attorney Crista Harwood has joined Passport Health Communications Inc. as vice president and general counsel. Harwood previously practiced corporate finance law with Nashville firm Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis. She will work out of Passport’s corporate headquarters in Franklin leading the organization’s legal and contracting functions with its business partners and thousands of clients across the United States.
 
Prior to becoming an attorney, Harwood worked as a financial analyst at General Motors Corporation and as an industrial engineer at Ford Motor Company. She earned a law degree from Vanderbilt University, an MBA from Michigan State University and her undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering from Kettering University in Flint, Mich.
 

Meyers, Reizer Join HMS

Healthcare Management Systems, Inc.® (HMS), a Nashville-based health information technology company, announced two new members of the company’s management team.  F. Bradley Meyers has joined HMS as a director of Integration and Interoperability and Neal Reizer joined as chief architect.
 
Meyers joins HMS with more than 10 years of experience in information technology, focusing on strategic planning, systems development and deployment, and policy and standards development. He earned a master’s degree in business administration from Belmont University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Management Science and Information Systems from Pennsylvania State University.
 
Reizer joins HMS with 20 years of experience in computer engineering, focusing on product feature and technology roadmap development, budgeting and personnel planning. He earned a master’s degree in Software Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and his undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Arizona.
 

change:healthcare Expands Staff to Support Growth

Healthcare technology company change:healthcare recently announced several key staff additions to accommodate recent and impending growth, according to company co-founders Christopher Parks and Robert Hendrick. The firm has named a chief financial officer, promoted its sales chief, hired a new director of sales and hired an art director.  
 
A financial services professional with 25 years of banking, venture capital and entrepreneurial experience, Julia Polk will manage the company’s financial, capital and legal strategies, business model development and strategic alliances as chief financial officer
 
Page Thompson, currently director of sales for change:healthcare, has been promoted to vice president of sales. Thompson has been at the company since October 2007, joining from Edgenet, where he opened new customer markets and managed strategic client relationships.
 
Filling the position of director of sales is R. Tate McDaniel, who joins the healthcare company from SunTrust Bank, where he was director of business development for the bank’s institutional division.   
 
Rounding out the new hires is Katherine Terrell, who has been named art director and will oversee creative execution of the change:healthcare brand communications.
 

US Radiosurgery Names Winker Executive VP

Nashville-based US Radiosurgery, which develops and operates full-body radiosurgical facilities, has named Cynthia A. Winker, a 30-year veteran of the healthcare industry, as executive vice president of Operations. In her new position, Winker will oversee operations of all US Radiosurgery centers. Her responsibilities include developing strategies for long-term growth and maintaining the company’s commitment to patient-care quality.
 
For the past 17 years, Winker managed and operated ambulatory surgery centers. From 1993 to 2005, she served as vice president of Business Development and Operations for AmSurg Corp., helping oversee the company’s growth from four surgery centers to 140. From 2005-2009 she served as COO of Bariatric Partners, a start-up ASC venture partnering with surgeons to build ambulatory surgery centers. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University, a master’s from Northern Illinois University and a doctorate from the University of Tennessee.
 

Advocat Announces New Chief Information Officer

Brentwood-based Advocat Inc. (Nasdaq:AVCA) has announced the appointment of David Houghton as CIO. Houghton joins Advocat with 20 years of diverse experience in healthcare, technology and consulting. He will be responsible for leading the IT organization and defining initiatives to support business strategy and national operations.
 
Houghton started his career with Scott & White Health System in Texas, and then joined AT&T before moving into consulting. He comes to Advocat with valuable big-four consulting experience, which includes defining IT strategy, aligning IT objectives with overall company objectives, and managing the delivery of IT services. Having worked in Nashville as a consultant for the past 10 years, he has previously provided CIO advisory services to Advocat.
 

PharmMD Taps Healthcare Veteran Michael L. Ansel for VP of Sales

PharmMD, a national leader in quality Medication Therapy Management (MTM), announced the addition of Michael L. Ansel to its growing team last month. Ansel will be tasked with building upon the company’s growth in 2009 and will manage PharmMD’s client management department, commercial sales, and be responsible for developing emerging relationships with key strategic partners. 
 
Ansel is a seasoned healthcare veteran with more than 25 years of experience in a variety of healthcare settings. Prior to his arrival at PharmMD, he worked at CorSolutions, a health enhancement and disease management company, where he oversaw the client management functions for the organization. He also worked at Accordant Health Services and helped develop and grow the company up to its eventual sale to CareMark. He received a BA from the University of Georgia.
 

Lohse Joins Southern Hills Medical Center

James Lohse, MD, who specializes in family medicine and sports medicine, has joined Brentwood East Family Medicine. He is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine with a Certificate of Advanced Qualification in Sports Medicine. Lohse received his medical degree at Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, West Indies and completed his family medicine residency at The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. His sports medicine fellowship was undertaken at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, N.J.
 

Wellmont Health System Selects PivotHealth for Management Contract

PivotHealth, a provider of physician practice management and consulting services based in Nashville, recently announced they have been selected by Wellmont Health System of Kingsport, Tenn. to provide executive leadership and management services to Wellmont Physician Services, the health system’s employed physician practices. The multi-year services contract includes initiatives to enhance physician practices in areas such as productivity and efficiency, implementing a new Practice Management Information System (PMIS) and Electronic Medical Record (EMR/EHR) system.
 

Performance Healthcare Products Inc. Launches New Line of Scrubs

In a significant development for an industry that has remained relatively unchanged for decades, J. Kirby Best, CEO of Nashville-based Performance Healthcare Products Inc., has announced the market launch of the first high-performance line of scrubs for the medical, dental and veterinary industries. Performance Scrubs, utilize a proprietary, technologically advanced material developed by Milliken & Company, one of the world’s largest privately held textile and chemical manufacturers.
 
The product’s design was developed with input from professional nurses, resulting in a scrub that combines comfort and function into a fashionable and durable garment. VisaEndurance®, a Milliken antimicrobial technology, is infused into the material via silver ions encapsulated in ceramic cages. Once the cage comes in contact with moisture, such as human sweat, the silver ions release thus preventing odor caused by the bacteria. Performance Scrubs, which are made in the United States, provide a host of important benefits to the wearer including moisture wicking properties, stain release, wide range of sizes, extreme durability with no fading or change of fit, antimicrobial effectiveness throughout the lifetime of the garment. For more information on Performance Scrubs please go to www.performancescrubs.com.
 

Saint Thomas Heart Opens Columbia Clinic

Saint Thomas Heart opened a new clinic in Columbia late last month. Joel M. Phares, MD, FACC, who specializes in Specializing in diagnostic catheterization and cardiac imaging, is seeing patients at the clinic, as well as at Saint Thomas Heart in Franklin and Lewisburg.
 
Phares is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and nuclear cardiology.  He attended medical school at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He completed his residency at Wright-Patterson Medical Center USAF and his fellowship at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
 

nTelagent Reports Record Sales Growth, Enters Five New States

Despite rocky economic conditions, nTelagent, Inc. reported last month the greatest sales growth in the history of the company, recently signing 20 hospitals as new customers. With these agreements, the company’s retail application for healthcare enters the five states of Florida, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kentucky and Oklahoma.
 
According to Earl T. Winter, nTelagent’s chairman and CEO, “These days, between the economy and healthcare reform, there are a lot of uncertainties. It’s crucial that both providers and their patients have appropriate resources to adjust to healthcare’s new ‘retail-like’ revenue cycle, where increasing financial responsibility is being placed on patients. We’re honored to partner with our new clients to help their patients navigate this often-complex system.”
 

Baptist Hospital Extends Discount for Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

To allow more patients the opportunity of affordable weight loss surgery, the Metabolic Surgery Center at Baptist Hospital has extended its discount for Lap-Band surgery for self-pay patients. The cost of the Lap-Band procedure has been reduced by 25 percent – from $16,100 to $12,000 – for self-pay patients only.
 
The Lap-Band discount includes the surgical procedure with no overnight stay or complications, as well as three months of Lap-Band adjustments. In addition to the Lap-Band discount, the Metabolic Surgery Center at Baptist Hospital is focused on providing services to meet the individual needs of each patient. These services include expanded access to registered dietitians for nutritional consults and personalized recommendations on fitness options and goals, as patients navigate their new lifestyle modifications. The center recently added a psychiatric nurse practitioner who is available to all patients as they progress through their weight loss journey. In addition, financing options are available through CareCredit.
 

Acetadote® Approved in Australia

Last month, Nashville-based Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:CPIX) and Phebra Pty Ltd. announced that Acetadote® (acetylcysteine) Injection has been granted regulatory approval for marketing and sale in Australia. Acetadote, an injectable drug used to treat acetaminophen (paracetamol) overdose, was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the government agency responsible for regulating drugs and medical devices in Australia.