Vizient Examines Telehealth, Trends in Spine, and Neuromodulation in Latest ‘Medical Device Tech Watch’

IRVING, Texas (BUSINESS WIRE), January 26, 2021 – Vizient, Inc. has released its latest edition of Medical Device Tech Watch. This issue features predictions about the growth of telehealth across health care service lines, shares new data on spinal surgery procedures and sheds light on neuromodulation, a nonpharmaceutical alternative for the treatment of pain. The report can be accessed here.

“Leaders are looking for ways to stay up to date on the innovations and shifts in health care that are especially important now, considering the enormous changes our industry has experienced since the pandemic,” said Debbie Schuhardt, sr. principal, Vizient. “The complexities in managing physician preference categories, such as cardiology and orthopedics, require relentless focus and attention as the landscape evolves. Tech Watch provides a medium through which we can share clinical and market insight into important advances that will help our members succeed now and into the future.”

Featured articles include:

“Telehealth’s effect on virtually everyone:” Many organizations reported large increases in the use of virtual care during the last year, fueled by reduced regulatory burdens and relaxed payment policies as a result of COVID-19. Teleradiology and telerehab are now accepted in both cardiology and orthopedics, and Sg2, a Vizient company, predicts that 34% of orthopedic and spine evaluation and management visits will be conducted virtually by 2029.

“Evolution of a spine program: common trends with a few uncommon threads:” Data from Sg2 reveals projected demand for inpatient (IP) and outpatient (OP) spinal procedures, projected OP spine volumes, forecasts IP and OP spine surgical procedure and IP/OP commercial payer mix by volume. It also identifies top trends for spine surgery, including increased scrutiny of surgical procedures, particularly lumbar fusion, as payers continue to implement initiatives to reduce overutilization of spinal surgeries.

“Developing a neuromodulation program in a changing market:” The treatment of chronic pain is one of the primary applications for neuromodulation, and with the health care industry’s focus on reducing opioid use, this nonpharmaceutical therapy is in higher demand. Manufacturers are researching novel applications of approved devices to develop additional therapies. This article offers insights on how to take advantage of anticipated growth, particularly as care shifts from inpatient to outpatient setting.

Other topics in this issue include pulmonary embolism treatment, the evolving transcatheter aortic valve replacement market and the successful implant initiative executed by Health Future, a consortium of hospitals and health systems that focuses on quality improvement, margin enhancement and cost reduction.

Vizient Medical Device Tech Watch is a quarterly publication. Previous issues may be accessed here.

About Vizient, Inc.

Vizient, Inc. provides solutions and services that improve the delivery of high-value care by aligning cost, quality and market performance for more than 50% of the nation’s acute care providers, which includes 95% of the nation’s academic medical centers, and more than 20% of ambulatory care providers. Vizient provides expertise, analytics and advisory services, as well as a contract portfolio that represents more than $100 billion in annual purchasing volume, to improve patient outcomes and lower costs. Vizient has earned a World’s Most Ethical Company designation from the Ethisphere Institute every year since its inception. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Vizient has offices throughout the United States. Learn more at www.vizientinc.com.

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