Welcome to Ortho Hospital Watchdog

Orthopedic specialty hospitals have recently been the subject of debate. They are promoted as patient-centered, physician-friendly health care alternatives that take advantage of the economic efficiencies of specialization. Medically, they claim to provide a higher quality of care and increase patient and physician satisfaction. Economically, they promote they are more efficient and profitable than general hospitals. They also claim to positively affect society through the taxes they pay and the beneficial aspects of the competition they provide to general hospitals. Lastly, orthopedic specialty hospital supporters promote their ability to provide a disruptive innovation to the existing hospital industry will lead to lower costs and greater access to health care. However, critics say that physician ownership presents potential conflicts of interest and leads to overuse of medical care. And in Ohio, this seems to be a real issue. Additionally, some general hospitals are suffering as a result of unfair specialty hospital practices, and a few drastic medical complications have occurred in at least one Northeast Ohio orthopedic specialty hospital. Specialty hospitals have been scrutinized for increasing the inequality of health care and continue to be a target of government regulations. Competition between specialty and general hospitals can provide added value to patients and taxpayers. However, physicians must take more responsibility in their appropriate leadership. It is critical to recognize problems and act ethically. Patient care cannot be compromised.