August 1, 2007 – Physicians from Sierra Neurosurgery Group are among the first neurosurgeons in the nation approved for membership in the Association for Ethics in Spine Surgery, which promotes public awareness of the detrimental and pervasive financial influence of industry on many health care providers and patients.
The Association for Ethics in Spine Surgery was started in 2006 by Charles D. Rosen, M.D., spine surgeon and professor at University of California, Irvine, College of Medicine.
"I am pleased and excited to welcome new Association for Ethics in Spine Surgery members from the prestigious Sierra Neurosurgery Group," said Dr. Rosen, president of the Association. "They will be the first group to represent the Association in the state of Nevada to move forward our goals to promote patient care and evidence-based medicine free from the influence of industry."
Dr. Joseph R. Walker, founder and managing partner of Sierra Neurosurgery Group, said he and his colleagues first considered membership in the Association after noting an increase in reports of doctors profiting from financial relationships with suppliers or healthcare facilities.
"Only those physicians who uphold the highest ethical standards qualify for membership in the Association for Ethics in Spine Surgery," said Dr. Walker. "None of our surgeons, nurses or support staff will receive financial considerations from medical product vendors or treatment centers in exchange for patient care."
Nevada physicians are required by law to inform patients of such conflicts of interest that may affect their abilities to prescribe treatment plans that are in the patient’s best interest (citation: Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 630.305 (g)).
The American Medical Association and healthcare watchdog groups are trying to tighten up broad ethics policies applied to physicians and medical device suppliers. Patients can directly ask their doctors if they financially benefit from relationships with manufacturers or distributors of medications and medical devices or if any members of the physician’s group have ownership or investment interests in diagnostic or surgery centers used by their patients.
Full membership in the Association for Ethics in Spine Surgery is limited to spine surgeons with no ownership or financial investment in companies that distribute devices used in spinal care. Members cannot accept compensation, stock, stock options or royalties from companies for using or implanting devices used in spine care. Members believe that profiting from such relationships or investments creates a conflict of interest that places financial gain above patient care. Full neurosurgeon members must all be in good standing with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
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