In brief: Home mods committee goes nationwide, Invacare CFO resigns

WATERLOO, Iowa - The Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services has expanded its Home Modification Accessibility Committee to include companies nationwide. MAMES says expanding HMAC will help to develop a consistent voice to address issues in the home accessibility market on a national and state level. A key priority for the newly expanded committee: moving H.R. 1780, the Senior Housing Act, forward. “It's been nearly a year since H.R. 1780 was introduced into Congress and with a unified voice, through HMAC, our industry can lead the way in getting this monumental bill passed,” said Jim Greatorex, vice president of VGM Live at Home and chairman of HMAC. The Senior Housing Act wouldprovide incentives to individuals 60 years of age and older to “age in place” by providing a $30,000 tax credit for home modifications like the widening of doorways and the installation of ramps, handrails, grab bars and non-slip flooring. On a state-by-state level, HMAC will focus on licensing issues. “HMAC will help us connect with our members so we can help address these challenges to change laws or provide other solutions so legitimate companies have the ability to provide their services to help people live independently,” Greatorex said.

Invacare CFO resigns

ELYRIA, Ohio - Invacare CFO Robert Gudbranson will resign Nov. 26. Kathleen Leneghan, vice president and corporate controller, will serve as interim CFO while a search is underway for a new CFO. “On behalf of everyone at Invacare and our board of directors, I want to thank Rob for his financial leadership and many contributions during his tenure as CFO,” said Matthew Monaghan, chairman, president and CEO. “We wish him success in his new endeavor.” Gudbranson, who also served as interim CEO from July 2014 to March 2015, is leaving the company to pursue a new opportunity, according to a press release.

Insulet sees revenues increase across the board

BILLERICA, Mass. - Insulet Corp. reported revenues of $121.8 million for the third quarter of 2017, representing year-over-year growth of 28%. Net loss was 2.2 million. For the Omnipod, revenues in the U.S. were $70.1 million for the quarter, a 17% increase, and, internationally, $32.5 million, a 70% increase. Revenue from drug delivery was $19.2 million, a 19% increase. “We achieved strong third quarter results across all of our businesses, particularly in our international business,” said Patrick Sullivan, chairman and CEO. “In addition to our 28% revenue growth, we achieved a 180-basis point improvement in gross margin. We are well on our way to our fiscal 2021 targets of $1 billion in revenue and approaching 70% gross margin.”

Ki Mobility inks distribution deal with Leckey

STEVENS POINT, Wis., and LISBURN, U.K. - Ki Mobility, a manufacturer of pediatric and adult seating and mobility products, will be the exclusive distributor of Leckey products in North America. Leckey's most popular products include the Squiggle Seat & Stander, Mygo Seat & Stander, PAL classroom seat, Everyday Activity Seat and Advance Bath Chair. “The products we will be distributing complement our innovative pediatric line and will allow us to provide the ATP with even more pediatric choices” said Doug Munsey, president of Ki Mobility in a press release.

Rehab Medical launches website with new focus

INDIANAPOLIS - Rehab Medical has launched a new website, rehabmedical.com, with a new focus on customer service, patient mobility, independence and well-being. The user-friendly site guides visitors through the health insurance process for complex rehab, and features informational resources. “Our everyday focus is to provide expertise and efficient, individualized attention to the many stakeholders that are involved in the arduous process of providing advanced medical equipment,” said Kevin Gearheart, president. “The newly rethought website provides enriched resources for our patients, their caregivers, and the medical professionals we work with on a daily basis.” Rehab Medical serves more than 12,000 patients a year in 12 states.

VGM calls for Heartland speakers

WATERLOO, Iowa - VGM is now accepting proposals for its 17^th annual Heartland Conference, slated for June 19-21. Organizers are looking for presenters with expertise in a variety of topics, including business leadership and management, retail, sleep and respiratory, rehab, operations, sales and marketing, and regulatory. “Heartland's robust education program is designed to ensure that attendees leave each session equipped with relevant and innovative strategies to evolve their businesses,” said Sarah Conger, director of events at VGM and chairwoman of the Heartland Conference. “Each year we search for dynamic speakers to add to our pool of talented presenters willing to share their content and best business practices to our guests.” Speaker proposals are due Nov. 22. Those interested should visit www.vgmheartland.com/speak to complete the online form, or contact Jill Blaser at jill.blaser@vgm.com or 855-755-6922.   

Several factors affect CPAP compliance, researchers say

GLENVIEW, Ill. - Hypertension is associated with poor CPAP compliance, say researchers in a recent article published in CHEST Journal. Other things that result in poor compliance, considered less than four hours of use per night: Mask leakage and atrial fibrillation, they say. “Our results may helps us identify the patients who are at higher risk of poor compliance,” they write. “Identification of such patients will help in targeting them with the appropriate interventions to improve their CPAP compliance.” Researchers based the article on a retrospective chart review to see which factors are associated with CPAP compliance.

Option Care signs on to provide Radicava

BANNOCKBURN, Ill. - Option Care Enterprises has become a nationally contracted home infusion provider of Radicava, the first ALS treatment option approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and has partnered with the ALS Association. Already, Option Care has started more than 100 patients with ALS on Radivaca. “Option Care applauds The ALS Association's mission and recognizes their efforts in giving help and hope to those facing the disease,” said John Rademacher, CEO, Option Care. “We look forward to this new partnership with The ALS Association and the ability to be part of providing education, support and services to those living with the disease.” In addition, Option Care provides a nutrition support program and enteral therapy to ALS patients. The provider has a multidisciplinary team of more than 1,800 clinicians, including pharmacists, nurses and dieticians, to provide home infusion services for patients nearly across the country.

Stealth Products launches video game for wheelchair users

BURNET, Texas - Stealth Products has launched a video game that allows a pediatric wheelchair user to have fun while a parent or therapist conducts a driving assessment. “I'm a gamer myself and I started noticing the most popular games were not necessarily friendly to gamers with disabilities,” said Gabriel Romero, vice president of sales and marketing for Stealth Products, a manufacturer of head and body support/positioning products, joystick mounts, trays and seating. “We set out to develop a game for wheelchair users that could also be used as an assessment tool for clinicians.” i-Drive LOONZ, which is available on the Apple i-Tunes app store and works on the i-Drive 4.0, was designed with Trident Technologies, a software development company. Game play and assessment are also possible on a manual mobility base using an i-Drive 4.0 with battery pack.

BOC showcases expanded office

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The Board of Certification/Accreditation's staff and board of directors showed off an expanded new office location to business partners and honored guests during an open house on Oct. 6. During the open house, BOC made dedications honoring BOC founder Dr. Donald O. Fedder, James “Jim” Newberry, and Debbie Stem Smith. After founding BOC, Fedder served as its first CEO from 1984 through 2006. A few months before he passed away in 2010, BOC dedicated a prior office expansion to Fedder. In the new location, BOC dedicated a suite with a focus on team collaboration the Dr. Donald Fedder Suite. Newberry, who passed away last year, is the namesake of the Jim Newberry Award for Extraordinary Service. Smith, a beloved staff member, also passed away last year.

Nonprofit launches virtual DME expo

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - CureDuchenne has launched a new resource called the CureDuchenne Virtual Durable Medical Equipment Expo, according to Muscular Dystrophy News. The expo is an interactive online resource that allows caregivers and family members to access information about equipment from the comfort of their own homes. The website offers “exhibit halls” with information about products, as well as a chat room to help caregivers and family members navigate the challenges of dealing with different devices and equipment at various stages of the disease. The expo was developed with the help of funds from a 2016 STRIVE Award provided by PTC Therapeutics. The STRIVE program recognizes the role patient advocacy groups play in improving the lives of Duchenne patients and their caregivers. CureDuchenne is a nonprofit that started in 2003 to help save the lives of those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness.