2013 Press Releases
5/10/13
CMS “Chargemaster” Data Release: A Good First Step, But Make Sure It’s in the
Right Direction
The North American Spine Society (NASS) applauds the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for publishing “list prices” for 100 common procedures, such as spinal fusion, performed at more than 3,300 hospitals nationwide.
1/9/13
NASS recently joined with the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians and other leading medical societies to call for President Obama and Congress to provide more resources for firearm safety education programs, violence prevention programs, and improved access to mental health services.
1/2/13
NASS Reaches Major Milestone: Austin Neurosurgeon Becomes Society's 8,000th Member
The North American Spine Society welcomed its 8,000th member, Douglas "Kit" Fox, MD, a neurosurgeon with NeuroTexas Institute at St. David's HealthCare in Austin, TX.
2012 Press Releases
2012 Annual Meeting Press Releases
10/25/12
Reaction to the Senate Committee on Finance Report on Medtronic's InFuse
The North American Spine Society (NASS) would like to acknowledge the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance for its in-depth investigation into physician/industry relationships, scientific publishing and the marketing of a Medtronic product often used in spinal fusion surgery, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rh-BMP2).
10/24/12
The Spine Journal Examines the Challenges and Future Directions of Controversial Product, rhBMP-2
The June 2011 issue of The Spine Journal raised significant concerns about the limitations of industry-sponsored scientific research and the complications and adverse events associated with rhBMP-2, a controversial synthetic bone growth factor often used in spinal fusion surgery. The journal continues its examination of rhBMP-2in newly published studies and commentaries.
10/19/12
Unrealistic Fear of Surgery Prevents People from Getting Even Basic Back Pain Help
People are so afraid of being told they will need surgery that they may not seek even the most basic help for their back pain, according to a recent North American Spine Society (NASS) member survey.
10/16/12
The Spine Journal Devotes Powerful Issue to Casualties of War
While the long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have introduced the world to the devastation of catastrophic blast injuries, a leading cause of medical evacuation from Iraq and Afghanistan is actually nonbattle spinal pain. This and other surprising data are featured in the September issue of The Spine Journal, which is devoted to casualties of war.
7/11/12
The Spine Journal Increases Impact Factor and Rank Among Journals
For the third year, The Spine Journal's Impact Factor has experienced steady growth, from a 2.902 in 2009 to an impressive 3.290 in 2011. The Spine Journal continues as the top-rated spine journal and is now the third-ranked orthopedic journal in the world.
4/16/12
"Illuminating" Study Highlights Depression as Predictor in Revisional Spine
Surgery Outcomes
What if a spine surgeon could predict patient outcomes by doing a simple, pre-op psychological test? A longitudinal study published in the March 2012 issue of The Spine Journal has put that theory to the test.
1/19/12
Must-Have Tool for Spine Practices Available
NASS Releases "2012 Common Coding Scenarios" Guide
To help spine care providers streamline paperwork and receive timely and accurate reimbursements, the North American Spine Society (NASS) just released its 2012 Common Coding Scenarios for Comprehensive Spine Care.
2011 Press Releases
2011 Annual Meeting Press Releases
10/4/11
The Spine Journal Announces Editorial Changes to Protect Scientific Integrity and
Public Trust
After shining a critical light on the limitations of industry-sponsored, published research in its June focus issue on recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), The Spine Journal has announced changes to its own editorial processes. The modifications are designed to protect the integrity of scientific publishing.
8/26/11
The Spine Journal Increases Impact Factor and Earns National Award
The Spine Journal has earned an impressive Impact Factor of 3.024, making it the top-rated spine publication in the world. Impact Factors are based on the number of times the average article in a journal is cited in other journals and provides a gross approximation of a publication's prestige.
8/3/11
The Spine Journal Statement on Medtronic/Yale Research Project
In response to research published in the June 2011 issue of The Spine Journal and investigations by the US Senate Finance Committee and the US Department of Justice, Medtronic , Inc. has announced a $2.5 million grant to Yale University to independently review the safety and effectiveness of its rhBMP-2 product.
6/28/11
The Spine Journal Calls for End to "Years of Living Dangerously" in Promotion of Bone Growth Factors
In a bold move, the nation's leading spine journal is shining a critical light on the limitations of industry-sponsored research and is bolstering transparency initiatives to protect the integrity of scientific publishing. The June issue of The Spine Journal is dedicated to a review of recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), a controversial synthetic bone growth product often used in spine fusion surgeries.
6/28/11
Evolving Safety Profile of rhBMP-2 Revealed in Study
A critical review of 13 industry-sponsored studies on a spine surgery product found that the actual risk of adverse events was 10 to 50 times the estimates originally reported. The product in question is recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), a controversial synthetic bone growth factor often used as a bone graft substitute in spine fusion surgeries.
5/24/11
Study Urges Spine Surgeons to Counsel Male Patients on Risk of Infertility with BMP Fusion Procedure
Spine surgeons should counsel their male patients who are considering a particular spinal fusion procedure about the risk of infertility, say the authors of a new study. The findings are published in the June 2011 issue of The Spine Journal, the international multidisciplinary scientific journal of the North American Spine Society (NASS).
5/2/11
NASS Offers Specific Proposals to Improve Patient Care and Reduce Medicare Spending
In a letter responding to a request from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the North American Spine Society (NASS) carefully laid out recommendations for a physician reimbursement system that will accurately cover the cost of providing health care to our nation's seniors, while maintaining and promoting access to the high-quality specialty care that our nation has provided for generations.
2/24/11
NASS Releases 2011 Common Coding Scenarios Guide
To help spine care providers streamline paperwork and receive more accurate reimbursement, the North American Spine Society (NASS) just released its 2011 Common Coding Scenarios for Comprehensive Spine Care.
2/14/11
Controversial Study Suggests Chronic Lower Back Pain Could Be Managed with Disc Steroid Injections
In what may be a landmark study, researchers report short-term pain relief with intradiscal steroid injections—a minimally-invasive, nonsurgical therapy—that could alleviate chronic lower back pain (CLBP) for millions of people worldwide. The findings are published in the February 2011 issue of The Spine Journal, an international multidisciplinary scientific journal of the North American Spine Society (NASS).