Specialty Providers
All hands on deck, including community pharmacies, for vaccination effort
January 15, 2021Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – On a recent Saturday, Community Pharmacy of Springdale partnered with two other community pharmacies to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to 609 health care workers – about 18 patients every 10 minutes, says pharmacist/owner Victoria Hennessey.
“It was highly efficient, but it took a village of volunteers,” she said. “Student pharmacists played a critical role, (as did) the Office of Emergency Management, staff...
NHIA, NAHC press for vaccine access
January 13, 2021HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Home Infusion Association and the National Association for Home Care and Hospice urge the federal government to ensure home infusion pharmacies have access to COVID-19 vaccines.
The two trade associations have asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and state health departments to ensure state-licensed infusion pharmacies are able to supply vaccines, either directly or in collaboration with home health agencies....
Non-invasive vents decrease mortality, hospitalization, ER visits, Viemed study shows
January 11, 2021HME News Staff
LAFAYETTE, La. – Viemed Healthcare has published a study that shows non-invasive ventilation at home improves survival and decreases health care utilization in Medicare beneficiaries with COPD with chronic respiratory failure.
“This study is the first of its kind published in the U.S. and represents a significant milestone in our mission of educating the medical community on the benefits of NIVH,” said Casey Hoyt, Viemed CEO. “The data supports...
Antibody pilot mobilizes home infusion providers
January 8, 2021Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Upstate HomeCare is among the providers that recently began participating in a pilot program to get monoclonal antibody therapy to patients in skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, where COVID-19 is spreading quickly.
The pilot, part of Operation Warp Speed, is a partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Home Infusion Association. Option Care Health is...
Henry Schein enters supplies market with strategic acquisition of Prism Medical
January 7, 2021HME News Staff
MELVILLE, N.Y. – Henry Schein Inc., a provider of health care solutions to medical and dental offices, has acquired a majority ownership position in Prism Medical Products, a national provider of home medical supplies with a focus in advanced wound care.
Founded in 2006, the Elkin, N.C.-based Prism Medical has more than 200 employees and 10 fulfillment centers. For the 12 months ended Sept. 30, 2020, it reported revenues of approximately $52 million.
“Expanding...
Rehab Medical Supply, OMS Rehab merge
January 5, 2021HME News Staff
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Rehab Medical Supply and OMS Rehab are merging to form Direct Medical Supply.
“We are very excited to join two highly synergistic companies to enable Direct Medical Supply to execute on our unique strategy and next phase of our growth commitment to patients and employees,” said Tri Van Le, president of Direct Medical Supply. “This also allows both companies to add strategic and operational value.”
Rehab Medical Supply, founded...
Navigating lead generation safely
December 29, 2020Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
ATLANTA - Wayne van Halem gets contacted “all the time” by companies that are having issues with audits. A common factor? Lead-generating companies, he says.
These are companies that are new to the industry and those that are well established, he says.
“They will convince people that they can make them a lot of money,” said van Halem, president of The van Halem Group. “They get told, ‘We’ll do all the work and the paperwork, and all you have to do is...
New caucus prioritizes ‘sleep health’ on Capitol Hill
December 21, 2020Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
DARIEN, Ill. - The Congressional Sleep Health Caucus will, among other things, help to raise awareness of obstructive sleep apnea and the effectiveness of CPAP therapy, says Dr. Kannan Ramar, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
The AASM launched the caucus earlier this month to highlight the importance of sleep health on helping to control cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity.
“The Sleep Caucus is a major movement in the right direction to drive that awareness,...
Sleeplay seeks ‘luxury’ status
December 21, 2020Tracy Orzel
MIAMI – Sleeplay, a new online shop, believes success in sleep therapy is about more than the right CPAP device and mask.
“We want to be a luxury supermarket in the sleep area, because we know that it’s not only CPAP—that you need other equipment and items to be comfortable,” said Liliane Fuhrman, owner. “We accompany people on the first 90 days and it’s not easy to use these (products), so if you have other items that will help you be successful, we want...
Viemed acquires stake in Verustat
December 21, 2020HME News Staff
LAFAYETTE, La. – Viemed Healthcare has acquired a 5% interest in Verustat for $600,000, giving it a platform to enter the remote monitoring space.
Viemed will use Verustat’s RPM solution in conjunction with its own proprietary patient engagement platform (PEP), which has shown to improve patient compliance, along with labor and workflow efficiencies, according to preliminary data.
“The pandemic has...