New Products and Industry News

Negative pressure wound therapy system receives HCPCS coding

  Medela Medical Technology (McHenry, IL) announces the CMS has approved their negative pressure wound healing system for reimbursement under HCPCS codes E2402, A7000, and A6550.

  The negative pressure wound therapy system consists of the Medela Vario 18 AC/DC C/I aspirator and a wound dressing kit containing individual components manufactured for the company. This system can be used to promote the healing and aid in the development of granulation tissue for difficult-to-heal wounds such as Stage III and Stage IV pressure ulcers, neuropathic and venous insufficiency ulcers, dehisced wounds, partial-thickness burns, and skin flaps and grafts. The system works by applying subatmospheric pressure to the wound site to remove infectious materials and draw the outer edges of the wound together. This system can be used in the hospital, long-term, or home-care settings.   For more information, please call (877) 735-1626.

Medical technology specialist gains marketing clearance for imaging system

  Longport, Inc. (Glen Mills, PA), a medical technology company specializing in high-frequency, high resolution ultrasound imaging, gained additional Food and Drug Administration (FDA) marketing clearance for its EPISCAN high-resolution ultrasound imaging system. This FDA clearance will enable the company to directly market for specific clinical applications. The EPISCAN I-200 high-resolution ultrasound system is a specialized system for imaging the skin and underlying soft tissue. Expanded clearance is necessary for gaining recognition and validating the many benefits of the use of the technology in markets where imaging technology has yet to be established.

  For more information, visit www.longportinc.com.

Affordable online continuing education available to clinicians

  Medline Industries, Inc. (Mundelein, IL) launched Medline University – an affordable new online continuing education resource for clinicians.

  Many states require nurses to take continuing education (CE) courses to annually renew clinical licensure and certification. Nurses with specialty certification such as perioperative and advanced wound care also are required to take a significant number of CE courses each year to maintain specialty certification. The new educational program offers a wide variety of courses to help clinicians meet licensure requirements.

  The program currently provides courses on subjects ranging from advanced wound care to infection control to pandemic preparedness. Featured are course tracking, pre-recorded classes, self-paced courses, and training and in- service videos for company products.

  For more information, visit www.medlineuniversity.com.

Wound care company acquires wound care clinics

  WCS Clinics (Jacksonville, FL) a company that contracts with hospitals to establish and manage comprehensive wound care programs, acquired approximately 100 wound care clinics from Critical Care Systems, Inc. WCS provides clinical expertise, research, data systems, and experienced staff to treat the growing number of patients suffering with chronic, non-healing wounds as the result of diabetes, pressure ulcers, vascular insufficiency, radiation injury, and other conditions. An estimated 7 million people are in need of such services. With the population rapidly aging population rapidly and the incidence of diabetes increasing, the demand for hospital-based wound care is growing dramatically.

  WCS Clinics will have a leading industry position with more than 260 hospital contracts covering 40 states.

  For more information, visit www.wccs.com.

New partnership results in comfort technology in product line

  Freedom Designs (Minneapolis, MN), a wheelchair seating and positioning company, is incorporating LiquiCell® comfort technology in its thoracic lateral supports, headrests, and seat cushions. The technology utilizes a combination of low viscosity fluid and strategically placed seal points that control the flow of liquid to aid in the process of preventing pressure ulcers without interfering with patient positioning.

  For more information, visit www.liquicell.com.

Fall/restraint product company awarded contract

  The Posey Company (Arcadia, CA) was awarded a 3-year Sole Source Agreement by HealthTrust Purchasing Group to supply its fall management, restraint, and restraint alternative healthcare products, effective December 1, 2006.

  Through the agreement, HealthTrust members will be able to access Posey’s complete line of fall management, bed safety and positioning, patient safety, and therapy products, as well as have access to Posey’s inservice and clinical training programs.

  For more information, please call (800) 44-POSEY.