American HomePatient dumps Arthur Andersen

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - American HomePatient dumped Arthur Andersen as its accountant in mid June and is in the process of finding a replacement, according to filings with the Security and Exchange Commission. During the two-and-a-half years the companies worked together, there were no disagreements on accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosures, or auditing scope or procedures. Andersen's audited reports on AHP's consolidated financial statements contained no adverse opinions on the company's financial practices, according to the SEC filings. Like AHP, companies have fled from Arthur Andersen as its role in the Enron and Worldcom accounting scandals became known. Apria upgrades computers COSTA MESA, Calif. - Apria added some serious muscle to its internal operations last month when it upgraded to a bigger, faster model of its existing IBM computer system. IBM's eServer i890 will allow Apria to consolidate 28 computer processors onto one unit, simplifying centralized data collection. The system's excess capacity will make it easier to digest acquisitions, said George Suda, Apria's executive v.p. of information systems. "This isn't a small box," Suda said. "The main processing unit weights a ton." Hospitals exit HME YARMOUTH, Maine - Hospitals continue to jettison their HME and other ancillary businesses to focus on their core expertise of acute care. In Putnam, Conn., Day Kimball has put its $1 million respiratory company, Health Network Home Medical, up for sale. In Minnetonka, Minn, Allina Hospital & Clinics sold its home healthcare businesses and still has its Twin Cities Oxygen, Infusion Therapy/Pharmacy business and its medical equipment business on the market.