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Briefs

Briefs

Lawmaker proposes amputee awareness

WASHINGTON - Rep. John Duncan, D-Fla., has proposed designating April as National Limb Loss Awareness Month. A bill introduced in March would bring attention to the two million Americans living with limb loss, he said. “It is my hope this bill will spur a national discussion on limb loss and bring much needed attention and resources to the many, many Americans who are a part of this community,” Duncan said. Duncan worked with Knoxville, Tenn.-based Amputee Coalition of America on the bill.



Provider recognized for respiratory care

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Pediatric Home Service (PHS) has been named a Quality Respiratory Care Provider by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC). “This recognition means first rate care in the eyes of the respiratory consumer,” said Mark Hamman, a PHS senior vice president. Among other requirements, PHS demonstrated that it employs only respiratory therapists that are either legally recognized by the state for respiratory care competency or credentialed; has respiratory therapists available to patients 24 hours every day; and is accredited by a nationally recognized, third party accreditation organization.



Fraudster bills

$1M for diapers

HOUSTON - A former HME provider faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 after pleading guilty to 14 counts of healthcare fraud. Fred Jessie Cole, co-owner of Crusade Integrated Health Services, submitted false claims to Texas Medicaid for incontinence products that were not delivered, nor wanted by beneficiaries. Between May 3, 2003, and Sept. 1, 2006, Cole submitted approximately $1,068,387 worth of claims for diapers and briefs to Medicaid and was paid approximately $937,567.



Study: Sleep apnea ups stroke risk

NEW YORK - Middle-aged and older adults who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea face an increased risk of stroke, says a new study by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The Sleep Heart Health Study examined stroke risk in 5,422 participants aged 40 years and older without a history of stroke. At the start of the study, participants performed an at-home sleep test, which determined whether they had sleep apnea and, if so, the severity. Participants were followed for an average of nine years. During that period, a total of 193 participants had a stroke.

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