In brief: Drive makes buy, pharmacists rank high

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. -Drive Medical has acquired Youngstown, Ohio-based bed manufacturer Primus Medical. “This acquisition provides Drive with a complete portfolio of high-quality, long-term care beds, and will position Drive as a major manufacturer in this rapidly-growing market,” said Harvey Diamond, CEP of Drive Medical in a press release. Primus Medical manufactures full-function low beds, bariatric beds, lifts and chairs, therapeutic air and foam mattresses, lifts and slings. Primus' Mark Shaw, president and COO, and Dan Halas, vice president of sales, will join Drive's management team. Tony Crisitello, senior vice president of long-term care at Drive, will also head Primus' long-term care division.

N.Y. provider creates new division

NIAGRA FALLS, N.Y. - Health System Services has formed a home modification division to help seniors age-in-place. The new division will offer grab bars, walk-in tubs, stair lifts and ramps. “We want to help caregivers sleep better at night knowing their loved ones are safe, and we want seniors to retain their independence as long as it is possible to do so,” saidRobert Miniccuci, president.Founded in 1996, Health System Services provides home medical and respiratory equipment.

Calling all ICD-10 volunteers

BALTIMORE - A second group of 850 volunteer providers will have the opportunity to participate in ICD-10 end-to-end testing with theMACs and the Common Electronic Data Interchange (CEDI) contractor from April 26-May 1. The purpose is to find out if providers are able to submit claims containing ICD-10 codes to the Medicare Fee-For Service (FFS) claims system;that CMS software changes made to support ICD-10 result in properly judged claims;and that accurate remittance advices are produced.Completed volunteer forms— available on your MAC website—are due Jan. 9.

Pharmacists rank 'high' on honesty, ethics

WASHINGTON - The majority of Americans say pharmacists have high ethical standards and are honest, according to a recent Gallup poll. “Americans place a high degree of faith and confidence in their pharmacists,” said John Sherrer, president of the National Community Pharmacists Association. “Pharmacists are expertly trained, easily accessible and, as this survey affirms, trusted medication experts.” The poll found that 65% of respondents rated pharmacists as having "very high" or "high" standards of honesty and ethics; behind nurses (80%) and tied with physicians. At the other end of the scale: car salespeople (8%) and members of Congress (7%).

Liberator reports sales increase

STUART, Fla. - Liberator Medical reported its net sales increased to nearly $75 million for its fiscal year 2014, an increase of 7.9%. Net income for the year, which ended Sept. 30, was $7.8 million, and the company had operating income of $12.7 million. "I am pleased to report that we were able to grow sales and profits in fiscal 2014,” said President and CEO Mark Libratore. “During the year we made investments in critical business systems, staff skills and financial controls while returning over $6.3 million to our shareholders.”

Medicine Shoppe 'opens shop'

Harrisburg, Ill. - The Medicine Shoppe opened a new Home Health Solutionslocation in Harrisburg, Ill. “We wanted to offer more products for our customers,” said Owner Steve Ledbetter. ”We have an expanded show room here and carry more products and a wider variety of them then we could in the pharmacy building.” Home Health Solutions offers a range of home medical and respiratory equipment, free delivery and set-up throughout southern Illinois.

Good works: 101 Mobility, Numotion

101 Mobilityin San Jose, Calif., donated an auto lift installation for a community fundraising project. The recipient, 9-year-old Isaac Ruiz, suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta, which causes painful bone fractures. “Isaac's mother told us that Isaac watched the installation from his bedroom window and was excited and thankful for the new auto lift to transport his power wheelchair,” said Virgil Moore, owner of 101 Mobility in San Jose. The new Harmar AL-500 lift will allow Ruiz to use his power wheelchair outside the home�Numotion in Topeka, Kan., donated a new wheelchair charger to a homeless man whose wheelchair was damaged in a fire.

Short takes: Drive, Ki Mobility

Drive Medicalhas obtained ISO 13485:2003 certification. Valid for three years, ISO (International Organization for Standard) certification represents the requirements for a comprehensive quality management system for medical devices�Ki Mobility has received approval from the City Council of Stevens Point, Wis., to build their new global headquarters. The wheelchair manufacturer intends to build a70,000-square-foot facility, adding 170 jobs over three years�

People news: Farrell, Walling

Zimmer Holdings has appointed ResMed CEO Michael Farrell to its board of directors. Zimmer Holdings is a Warsaw, Ind.-based joint replacement technology manufacturer�Permobil has promoted Todd Walling to senior vice president of sales for the North American region. Walling joined the company in 2007 as the key accounts manager and area sales manager.