New Products and Industry News

Consulting firm to specialize in wound and skin care

   Strategic Sales Solutions, Inc (Newtown, Pa.) launched a consulting firm specializing in the development and implementation of sales and marketing strategies for the wound and skin care industry. In addition, the firm provides identification and evaluation services associated with marketing initiatives.

   For more information please call 215-369-9812 or email: info@strategic-sales-solutions.com.

National coverage for hyperbaric oxygen therapy

   The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) have issued an intent to issue a formal National Coverage Determination pertaining to diabetic wounds of the lower extremity. The complete story (29 pages including references) and timeline can be read online on the CMS website at https://cms.hhs.gov/coverage/8b3-mm3.pdf. Medicare has formally recognized the benefit of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for such wounds and will publish implementation and utilization guidelines as they are developed.

   In addition, The Federal Register presented the proposed OPPS rates for the year 2003 on August 9, 2002. In it, hyperbaric oxygen therapy was moved from "new technology" and was awarded a new APC of 0659. To recognize hyperbaric oxygen therapy more appropriately, it was reassigned by CMS to "new technology" with a promise that real data would be studied over the following 2 years. This has occurred and the reported new reimbursement rate is $162.27 (20% co-payment), based upon a 30-minute increment of treatment. The HCPCS code of C1300 will remain the same and is reported in increments. This document opened for public comment for 60 days on August 9.

   Hospitals and medical practitioners are urged to stay within recognized utilization limits and billing sessions because an annual review is certain to occur to demonstrate cost benefit. Over-utilization or improper coding that is not consistent with good medical practice will increase the risk of potentially negative actions.

The ROHO Group acquires AirCare Therapy Inc.

   The ROHO Group Inc. (Belleville, Ill.), manufacturer of support surface products for medical and transportation applications, has acquired the assets of AirCare Therapy Inc., the St. Louis-based manufacturer and marketer of SelectAir brand low-air-loss mattress systems.

   This acquisition adds an important dimension to The ROHO Group's product offering to the home care market and acute and long-term care facility markets in the treatment of decubitus ulcers and other wounds. The company's products now address all four of the intrinsic risk factors associated with pressure ulcer development and treatment: pressure, shear, friction and - with the addition of SelectAir - moisture control.

   AirCare products will continue to be manufactured and marketed under their current brand names. This includes the SelectAir, SelectAir Max, SelectAir Deluxe and BariSelect. AirCare's operations will be relocated to ROHO's Belleville, Ill. headquarters.

   To learn more, visit www.rohoinc.com.

Dorland Sweeney Jones making changes

   Dorland Sweeney Jones Health Communications (Philadelphia, Pa.) simplified its name and is undergoing a change in organizational structure. As of July 23, the company returned to its original name, Dorland. Its new organizational structure aligns the agency's core strengths as one of the top five independent healthcare agencies into three strategic business units: Dorland Pharma (Richard T. Minoff, President), Dorland Public Relations (Nancy Bacher Long, President), and Dorland Solutions (Kate Maguire, President). Rita Sweeney and Harry A. Sweeney remain as President /COO and Chairman/CEO, respectively. The company will continue to offer integrated services including public relations, marketing communications, medical communications, and strategic consulting.

   For information, please visit www.dorland.com.

Research award applicants wanted

   The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) (Reston, Va.) fosters and supports research on pressure ulcer prevention and treatment. The organization provides small grant awards ($1,500) to novice researchers from any healthcare or basic discipline to support preliminary research efforts (including dissertations) for young investigators who are likely to have promising academic careers in pressure ulcer research. The NPUAP Research Award(s) will be announced at the 8th NPUAP National Conference, to be held February 2003 in New Orleans. The deadline for proposal submission is November 1, 2002.

   For a copy of the program announcement, instructions, and application form, visit www.npuap.org or call (703) 464-4849, ext. 4110.

Contract awarded for new dressing category

   Molnlycke Health Care, Inc. (Newtown, Pa.), in collaboration with Bayer Health Care Partners, has been awarded a 3-year contract for their Tendra® wound management products that feature Safetac® Technology, effective May 1, 2002. The products will be placed into a new dressing category termed, "Silicone Dressings." Safetac is a patented soft silicone adhesive technology designed specifically for wound management dressings; products in the Safetac range are: Mepitel®, non-adherent wound contact layer; Mepilex®, absorbent foam dressing; Mepilex® Border, self-adherent bordered foam dressing; and Mepiform®, a thin flexible self-adherent dressing for scar management.

   The products can be used on numerous wound types, including skin tears, venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, burns, and scar management. In addition, the products with Safetac technology have been proven very helpful with the dermatological condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).

   All of the products with Safetac are designed to minimize trauma and pain during dressing changes. The medical grade soft silicone provides gentle, but secure adhesion to intact dry skin, while the hydrophobic nature prevents the dressing from adhering to moist wounds.

   For more information, contact Tom Gillespie at (800) 882-4582, ext 2480, or tom.gillespie@molnlycke.net.

New dressing combines silver and moisture management

   Medline Industries, Inc (Mundelein, Ill.) launched SilvaSorb™, the first line of antimicrobial silver wound dressings that combines sustained release antimicrobial silver with highly effective moisture management materials. The new product is designed to help heal chronic wounds such as pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, leg ulcers, skin tears, first- and second-degree burns, grafted wounds and donor sites, surgical wounds, and lacerations and abrasions. It also reduces infection. The product is a major addition to the company's family of controlled-release silver wound care products, which also includes Arglaes®.

   The new product is a sterile, single-use wound dressing for use in moist wound management. It combines patented MicroLattice™ technology with the unique, stabilized sustained release silver technology for an effective dressing for use up to 7 days. The MicroLattice synthetic matrix helps maintain an optimal environment for healing by managing the moisture level in the wound, donating moisture if required or absorbing up to five times its weight in excess wound exudate. It also controls the release of ionic silver when triggered by contact with moisture.

   An effective barrier to a broad spectrum of microorganisms, the product may help reduce infection by inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, VRE, and other clinically significant microorganisms.

   The new product is available in a variety of formats for optimal use in the management of a variety of wound types. Visit www.medline.com for more information.

Plush toy carries message about staph infection

   Regent Medical (Norcross, Ga.) introduced a series of plush teaching tools shaped like various pathogenic bacteria to remind healthcare professionals of the importance of handwashing in reducing the risk of nosocomial infection.

   "Staphon," the first character in the series, suggests the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria as seen under a microscope - a furry body comprising grape-like clusters. The most common cause of nosocomial pneumonia and surgical site infections, S. aureus is also the second leading cause of bloodstream infections. Healthcare professionals have commonly been identified as a link for transmission of infection between patients via their hands, so they are encouraged to be diligent in exercising proper skin antisepsis. The plush toy will serve as a reminder to wash with the company's product Hibiclens®, an antiseptic, antimicrobial skin cleanser. When routine handwashing is not possible or convenient, Hibistat® - a germicidal hand rinse - is suggested.

   For further information on Regent Medical, visit www.regentmedical.com.