August 31, 2023
STATEMENT REGARDING EMERGENCY SUSPENSION ORDER OF MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF PASCO COUNTY DATED MARCH 15, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kimberly Bermel Bonati
SVP, Media, Marketing &
Corporate Communications
(727) 534-7192
Recently, our affiliated Ambulatory Surgery Center operated by Medical Development Corporation of Pasco County was temporarily shut down by Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration in an Emergency Suspension Order dated March 15, 2023, that resulted in the closure of our facility for nearly 4 months. In its Emergency Suspension Order, AHCA claimed that an extensive investigation had resulted in certain “factual findings” that our owner, along with certain unnamed executives, had allowed certain unnamed and unlicensed surgical technologists to perform “entire spine surgeries” on our patients. These reckless and irresponsible claims are not, and have never been true.
Since 1984, The Bonati Institute has successfully performed over 75,000 surgical procedures on the spine with an astounding self-reported patient satisfaction rating of over 98%. One of the principal features of our proprietary and patented surgical technique is that we do not use general anesthesia. Instead, our surgical procedures have always employed a unique combination of conscious sedation and local anesthesia that is specifically designed to allow our patients to remain awake and alert throughout their surgery.
By keeping our patients awake and alert, our surgeons communicate with their patients in real-time, allowing them to actively participate in the outcome of their surgical treatment. In addition to other key features that separate our procedures from other facilities, it is this active patient participation during surgery that has consistently allowed tens of thousands of patients to leave our facility pain-free. More than just our patients’ active participation, we have always encouraged family members and caretakers to be present in our operating rooms during surgery to observe and provide support to their loved ones. If anyone other than a licensed and qualified surgeon was ever permitted to perform surgery in our facility, our patients and their families would certainly know it.
We have been devastated for our patients and staff that they would ever be forced to suffer the indignity and fear of having to answer to such careless and defamatory claims. To anyone that may be concerned about how surgery is performed in our facility, as has been our customary practice for nearly 40 years, we invite and encourage you to come watch surgery for yourself. Not only will you see that these allegations are false, but you will be amazed by the results that this incredible partnership between patient and surgeon can achieve.
As citizens of the great State of Florida, it is our responsibility to hold accountable anyone who may have participated in pushing these false, defamatory and reckless claims, no matter what position of power and influence they may hold. We look forward to doing so, as our patients and staff deserve nothing less.
Tampa Bay, FL | (800) 330-4262 | www.bonati.com