2. Spinal stimulator
implants. If you want to
try your hand at minimally
invasive spine procedures,
you might want to follow in
the footsteps of Gadsden
(Ala.) Surgery Center. The
ASC recently began per-
forming spinal cord stimu-
lators (SCSs) — also
known as dorsal column stimulators (DCSs) — as a pain management
option for patients with chronic back pain. In a nutshell, the SCS pro-
cedure involves an implantable neuromodulation device that sends
mild electrical signals to select areas of the spinal cord to reduce pain.
"When CMS announced it was reimbursing the stimulator implant,
we decided it was a good opportunity for us to move into spine proce-
dures," says Harriet Willoughby, RN, BSN, Gadsden's CEO. Indeed,
CMS just started reimbursing for this procedure in 2018, which is a
major incentive when you consider the stimulator implant itself costs
$25,000.
And the implant isn't the only high-ticket item associated with this
procedure. If you're not already outfitted for spine, instrumentation is
a significant investment. You'll need a Jackson table with a Wilson
frame, a cooling vest, a basic laminectomy tray and at least 2 electro-
cautery machines, says Pat Daniel, RN, the manager at Gadsden
Surgery Center. From a staff perspective, Gadsden conducts the
approximately hour-long procedure (not including the 20 to 30 min-
utes of prone positioning) with both a physician and PA in addition to
2 circulators, 2 OR techs, 1 X-ray tech or someone who's well-versed
in fluoroscopy.
5 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U L Y 2 0 1 9
• NEW ADDITION CMS just started reimbursing facilities for spinal cord
stimulator surgeries, a procedure that uses a neuromodulation implant to
send a mild electric current to the spinal cord to reduce pain.
Mayo
Clinic
