Archive: August 2016

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - Royal Philips is sponsoring a documentary that seeks to educate viewers about COPD through Leonard Nimoy's personal story of courage. “COPD: Highly Illogical - Remembering Leonard Nimoy” will also provide the latest information about treatments for the chronic disease. “Our aim in sponsoring this film is to raise awareness of the disease and its consequences if left undiagnosed or untreated,” said Eli Diacopoulos, Home Respiratory Care Business Leader...

WATERLOO, Iowa - VGM Homelink has used its network of HME providers and manufacturer partners to coordinate the delivery of 208 wheelchairs, first aid kits to accommodate 6,500 people and 130 service bells to shelters in areas affected by flooding in southern Louisiana. Homelink was asked by the American Red Cross to coordinate medical supplies to aid displaced flood victims. “Once we received the call from the Red Cross, our team dedicated to crisis situations began sourcing the requested...

SAN DIEGO - ResMed has produced a documentary film featuring a family that decides to continue to travel and enjoy the outdoors despite having two children living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). “Changing Lives with Every Breath: The Beaulieu Family” features two brothers, Ross, 20, and Finn, 16, who have a fatal genetic neuromuscular disease that weakens the body's muscles over time, including those that support heart and lung function. Thanks to the family's resolve and...

NEW YORK - Clayton, Dubilier & Rice will make a “significant equity investment” in Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare, the companies announced today. CD&R will make the investment, “alongside existing management,” according to a press release. “We intend to play a constructive role by supporting a very talented management team as it continues to grow the business organically and through acquisitions,” said Richard Schnall, a partner at CD&R. As part of the investment,...

WALTHAM, Mass. - CPAP therapy plus usual care, versus usual care alone, does not prevent cardiovascular events in patients with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea and established cardiovascular disease, according to a study published Aug. 28 on the website of the New England Journal of Medicine.“This study was not powered to provide definitive answers regarding the effects of CPAP on secondary cardiovascular end points, but there was no indication of a significant benefit with respect...

LAKE FOREST, Calif. - Apria Healthcare has conducted around-the-clock outreach to more than 700 patients with potentially damaged respiratory equipment due to this month's flooding in Louisiana. “Several of our employees' homes have also been damaged, but they all continue to come to work and lend a hand to displaced patients in need,” said Quiana Cruz, a branch manager in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, in an Aug. 29 press release. Apria has brought respiratory equipment to 35 displaced...

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Aeroflow Healthcare has added 50 employees this year, 22 of them in its breastpumps department. “The department currently shows a 110% growth percentage from January,” the provider stated in an Aug. 29 press release. Aeroflow has also boosted its billing department with 12 employees this year, representing a 34% growth rate. The provider has added nine and five employees to its customer service and marketing departments, respectively. “We have added truly amazing...

BALL GROUND, Ga. - Caire, a Chart Industries Company, has implemented a Minimum Advertised Price Policy for all distributors, retailers and resellers who advertise or sell its products over the Internet. “The MAP Policy was adopted to protect customers' confidence in the quality of our products,” stated George Coppola, director of marketing. “This policy is designed to encourage and support resellers who provide customers with strong pre- and post-sales service and support. Advertising...

As I look at the educational program for this year's HME News Business Summit, I don't necessarily see sessions on how to overcome challenges. What I do see are sessions on how to take advantage of opportunities. The kinds of opportunities that present themselves when you become a player in the eyes of health systems because you've armed yourself with outcomes data. The kinds of opportunities that present themselves when you educate yourself about new trends in healthcare delivery and health data...

YARMOUTH, Maine - HME providers were caught off-guard when Tricare, the healthcare program for uniformed services members and their families, began ratcheting down its reimbursement rates to below Medicare's new reduced rates.“Tricare has typically been one of the better payers, so to see the rates fall as drastically as they have put a shock to us,” said Chris Smythe, vice president at Tycon Medical, which has locations in Norfolk and Portsmouth, Va., which has a large military community....