In brief: Numotion, Smith & Nephew make buys

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Numotion has purchased the custom mobility division of Barnes Healthcare Services, according to a Nov. 26 release. Barnes, which offers post-acute complex care in Georgia, Florida and Alabama, will now focus on pharmacy, respiratory, nutrition and medical supplies. “The addition of Barnes' seven locations in Georgia and Florida greatly expands our coverage and improves access to complex rehab technology to residents throughout the region,” said Bill Boyce, regional vice president of Numotion, in the release.

Smith & Nephew makes wound care buy

LONDON - Smith & Nephew has agreed to acquire the wound management-related assets and business of Brazil's Politec Saude, furthering its plans to build an emerging markets business, according to a Nov. 26 release. Politec Saude is Brazil's lone distributor of Smith & Nephew advanced wound management products. “Brazil is an exciting long-term opportunity and this is an important investment which creates a significant platform from which we can grow,” said Olivier Bohuon, Smith & Nephew CEO. The acquisition comprises one-quarter of Politic's total business; the company will continue to operate its other businesses as usual, according to the release.

Lincare offers mobile cardio telemetry

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Raytel Cardiac Services, which Lincare has sole rights over, is now offering mobile cardio telemetry services through M-Air, according to a recent release. CardioComm Solutions, which develops technology to record, view, analyze and store ECGs, developed the wireless ECG monitoring solution using TZ Medical's Aera CT device and Raytel's CardioCare Diagnostic Arrhythmia Service, according to the release. CardioComm released the M-Air solution to Raytel for implementation on Nov. 9.

ResMed CFO sells 15K shares

SAN DIEGO - Brett Sandercock, ResMed CFO, sold 15,000 shares of company stock Nov. 20, according to news reports. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.06, for a total of $765,900. Sandercock now directly owns 94,902 shares in ResMed, worth about $4.8 million, according to reports. ResMed recently announced its first quarter earnings for 2014, reporting slower growth versus the previous year due to Round 2 of competitive bidding.

Contractor clarifies respiratory policy

WASHINGTON - Medicare does not reimburse for home oxygen used specifically to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) because it is not the primary treatment for that disease, even if beneficiaries cannot tolerate PAP devices, CGS Associates said in a recent FAQ. The DME MAC said beneficiaries who use a PAP device to treat OSA and who are in need of oxygen for other chronic pulmonary conditions like COPD, however, qualify for reimbursement if they meet the requirements of the oxygen and PAP local coverage decisions (LCDs) and have been diagnosed using a titration polysomnogram.

3B Medical releases PAP software

LAKE WALES, Fla. - 3B/BMC has released nPap Data Analyzer, a new software that works alongside the company's line of CPAP and Auto-CPAP devices, according to a Nov. 22 release. The software allows clinicians to develop reports and graph trends in pressure, leak levels, apnea-hypopnea, flow level, tidal volume and respiration rate. The program is available to download at no cost. Also on Nov. 22, 3B Medical announced that its iCodeConnect, a web-based data management system, now features SD card functionality, the company announced Nov. 22. The iCodeConnect system allows DME providers and physicians to store patient data, generate sleep reports, exchange notes, and manage patients efficiently. The upgrade will allow the iCodeConnect patient management portal to integrate with the portable memory cards.

AABCP to launch post mastectomy awareness campaign 

HOUSTON - The American Association of Breast Care Professionals (AABCP) has announced plans for several events throughout 2014 to raise political and public awareness for the need for post mastectomy services. The campaign will include basic education and explanations of what post mastectomy services are and how these medically necessary items differ from normal lingerie or aesthetic beauty products. More information about the effort is available at www.aabcp.org.

Short Takes

101 Mobility Tampa partnered with Harmar to donate and install a wheelchair lift as part of an effort to build an accessible home for injured Army Staff Sergeant (SSG) Alex Dillmann. Dillmann will receive the house Dec. 5…New Berlin, Wisc.-based Home Care Medical has launched a redesigned website with additional educational materials, a promotions page and a new careers page.