A Nevada state probe has been launched to determine whether cardiologists of University Medical Center in Las Vegas improperly accepted consulting fees from Biotronik, a pacemaker manufacturer, according to a Las Vegas Sun report.
The New York Times recently published an exposé on Biotronik's close relationship with UMC. In 2010, 95 percent of patients who underwent a heart device implantation received a product made by Biotronik. The manufacturer's implants were not used at the hospital before 2008, however, and its national share of the heart device-market is slightly more than 5 percent. A federal investigation is examining the manufacturer's sales practices, according to the New York Times report, but Biotronik lawyers declined to comment.
Following the publication of the exposé, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval asked the Health and Human Services Department to investigate UMC's patient safety and billing practices. The Board of Medical Examiners is also examining the relationship between Biotronik and cardiologists with Nevada Heart and Vascular.
UMC CEO Kathy Silver released a statement following the New York Times piece, attributing UMC's mention in the article "to the large volume of cardiac procedures performed at UMC utilizing the Biotronik device," according to a Las Vegas Sun report. Ms. Silver also said rules and regulations for UMC medical staff require the disclosure of any financial relationship with a vendor.
Read more about cardiologists and hospitals:
- FTC, Nevada AG Examine Renown Health's Partnerships With Cardiovascular Groups
- Recipients of Allegedly Unnecessary Stents Sue Pennsylvania Hospital
The New York Times recently published an exposé on Biotronik's close relationship with UMC. In 2010, 95 percent of patients who underwent a heart device implantation received a product made by Biotronik. The manufacturer's implants were not used at the hospital before 2008, however, and its national share of the heart device-market is slightly more than 5 percent. A federal investigation is examining the manufacturer's sales practices, according to the New York Times report, but Biotronik lawyers declined to comment.
Following the publication of the exposé, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval asked the Health and Human Services Department to investigate UMC's patient safety and billing practices. The Board of Medical Examiners is also examining the relationship between Biotronik and cardiologists with Nevada Heart and Vascular.
UMC CEO Kathy Silver released a statement following the New York Times piece, attributing UMC's mention in the article "to the large volume of cardiac procedures performed at UMC utilizing the Biotronik device," according to a Las Vegas Sun report. Ms. Silver also said rules and regulations for UMC medical staff require the disclosure of any financial relationship with a vendor.
Read more about cardiologists and hospitals:
- FTC, Nevada AG Examine Renown Health's Partnerships With Cardiovascular Groups
- Recipients of Allegedly Unnecessary Stents Sue Pennsylvania Hospital