In brief: Golden moves faster, transportation delays persist, AdaptHealth buys Keene

OLD FORGE, Pa. – Golden Technologies on April 4 decreased lead times on in-stock power lift recliners to one week and custom build orders to six weeks. 

Over the last 12 months, the company says it has been working hard to expand a diverse supply chain for parts and products to ensure a continuous supply of products and services and has opened a new distribution center that spans 170,000 square feet. 

“As part of our continued operational and logistics improvement processes, we are building more chairs than ever before and getting them out faster to provide our retailers with the quality products they need to increase their revenue,” said Rich Golden, CEO of Golden Technologies. 

Golden Technologies is also adding models to its product offerings, including small and large size options for the PR766 Relaxer power lift recliner. 

In addition to the Relaxer, models regularly stocked and available at the one-week lead time include those with patented MaxiComfort positioning and Twilight technology. 

“The need for the products we offer is immediate,” Golden said. “We are continuously looking for ways to provide a faster and more efficient experience for our retailers and customers. Our goal is to continue to improve, as we work to grow our operations.” 

Transportation delays persist, HIDA says 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Delays dropped from 37 to 27 days in December 2021, but transportation times are still 440% longer than they were before the pandemic, according to research released by the Health Industry Distributors Association. 

Specifically, the volume of medical supply containers awaiting delivery has increased 13% in the last months, HIDA reports. 

“The issue isn’t going away,” said Matthew J. Rowan, president and CEO. “Despite the end of the holiday shopping season, transportation delays persist for critical medical supply. The health care supply chain should remain top of mind for policymakers.” 

As West Coast ports remain congested, the volume of medical supply containers at East Coast ports has skyrocketed. Ports in New York and Charleston are seeing the greatest increases in volume at 124% and 84%, respectively, according to HIDA. 

Sixty one percent of medical distributors say they haven’t seen appreciable improvement in delays and 21% say they’ve worsened, the association reports. 

AdaptHealth acquires Keene Medical Products 

ENFIELD, N.H. – AdaptHealth has acquired Keene Medical Products, a respiratory-focused, full service DME business based here. 

Founded in 1975, Keene has 132 employees with five locations in New Hampshire and four in Vermont. 

“We are grateful that so many people have placed their trust in our teams of professionals and in our products and services,” said Kurt Filiault, owner. “We are proud of our reputation.” 

Keene Medical Products was named Best Home Respiratory Provider in 2006, as part of the HME Excellence Awards program hosted by HME News. 

AdaptHealth reaches about 3.6 million patients annually across the country through its network of more than 750 locations in 47 states. 

Paragon Ventures acted as the exclusive adviser to Keene Medical Products. 

O&P stakeholders press case on DTC model 

WASHINGTON – The O&P Alliance has issued a statement opposing direct-to-consumer delivery of custom orthotics and prosthetics. 

The alliance, which includes the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association, American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, ABC, BOC and National Association for the Advancement of Orthotic and Prosthetic Patient Care, says such devices should be fitted by a licensed O&P professional as part of the overall plan of care. The direct-to-consumer model, they say, puts the patient at risk and exposes the health care system to inefficiency and waste.  

“When direct-to-consumer models fail, patients must seek qualified practitioners to obtain proper clinical care and restart the care process, which is wasteful and time-consuming,” the letter states. “Technology alone cannot make nuanced assessments that factor-in myriad complications, circumstances, and real-life demands of patients with limb loss and limb difference.” 

A bill in the House of Representatives, H.R. 1990, would among other things, restore the term “minimal self-adjustment” to more clearly define off-the-shelf orthoses; and prohibit the practice of “drop shipping” custom orthoses and prostheses, as well as off-the-shelf orthoses. 

The alliance says it: 

Supports the delivery model that preserves the meaningful person-to-person relationship between the patient and an appropriately credentialed O&P clinician to ensure that the custom orthosis or prosthesis is appropriate, safe, and effective.  

Rejects any direct-to-consumer delivery model for the provision of custom orthoses or prostheses that bypasses the critically important, direct relationship between the patient and an appropriately credentialed clinician. 

Supports the use of technology to enhance the ability of qualified healthcare providers to deliver high-quality, clinically appropriate care, but does not believe that technological advances should replace the clinical expertise of the orthotist and/or prosthetist.  

Recommends that third-party payers reject claims for orthotic and prosthetic care that do not meet current standards of clinical engagement in order to disincentivize the absence of safe and effective clinical care associated with direct-to-consumer models. 

Encourages the enforcement of state O&P licensure laws requiring a licensed O&P practitioner to provide O&P care. 

Trial calls into question effectiveness of home pulse oximetry for COVID-19 patients 

PHILADELPHIA – The addition of home pulse oximetry to remote monitoring for patients with test-confirmed COVID-19 did not result in a greater number of days alive and out of the hospital than subjective assessments of dyspnea alone, according to a trial conducted by physicians and other health care professionals at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Twenty-eight physicians and other health care professionals from the Perelman School of Medicine published a letter to the editor in the New England Journal of Medicine on April 6 with the findings from their randomized trial assessing a text message-based remote monitoring program supplemented with monitoring of oxygen saturation by home pulse oximeter. 

As part of the trial, they enrolled adults in their health system’s electronic health record with COVID-19 into COVID Watch, a two-week program involving twice daily automated text messages inquiring about dyspnea, with rapid callbacks from nurses when appropriate.  

From Nov. 29, 2020, to Feb. 5, 2021, they randomly assigned patients in the program to participate in the standard monitoring program in addition to home pulse oximetry, or the standard program alone, in a 1:1 ratio. They provided patients in the pulse oximetry group with a pulse oximeter and monitored them for subjective symptoms or a low or declining oxygen saturation. A total of 1,041 patients (606 of whom had test-confirmed COVID-19) were assigned to the standard program group, and 1056 patients (611 of whom had test-confirmed COVID-19) were assigned to the pulse oximetry group. Among patients in the pulse oximetry group, 77.7% submitted at least one pulse oximetry reading.  

Among patients with test-confirmed COVID-19, they found there was no significant between-group difference in the number of days they were alive and out of the hospital at 30 days (mean, 29.4 days in the pulse oximetry group and 29.5 days in the standard program group; P=0.58; difference, −0.1 days; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.4 to 0.2)  

Heartland Conference features enhanced education, ‘surprises’ 

WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM’s 21st Heartland Conference will feature an enhanced educational schedule. This year’s in-person conference, which takes place June 13-15, will feature a series of three-hour educational workshops during the pre-conference, additional expert-guided courses in data analysis and, for early risers, a new Morning Buzz event with experts in complex rehab technology. “Beyond our jam-packed agenda, attendees are usually delighted by a few surprises, as well,” said Jill Blaser, Heartland conference chair and design and development manager for VGM Education. In addition to the robust lineup of speakers, vendors, and educational opportunities, Heartland is known for great food, entertainment and social gatherings, all included in one registration price that has not increased this year. This year’s social events include a tour of Hansen’s Dairy, where attendees can pet a baby kangaroo and milk a cow, and a Grand Slam, baseball-themed party at the VGM farm. To learn more and register for Heartland 2022, visit vgmheartland.com.  

Illinois legislature passes bill that would exclude breast pumps from sales tax 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois General Assembly has passed SB 157, a bill that includes language exempting breast pumps and supplies from sales takes effective July 1. Once signed into law, the bill is estimated to save providers in the state $1.1 million annually. “Our strong champion in the Illinois House, Rep. Barbara Hernandez, has worked with providers and other maternal health advocates for two years to see this legislation through,” said Tilly Gambill, director of marketing communications for AAHomecare, whose Breastfeeding Coalition supported the effort. “By activating grassroots support, engaging IBCLC professionals to testify, and inviting likeminded stakeholders to weigh in on the issue, our coalition was able to impress upon legislators the benefit of a tax exemption and reach the finish line.” Similar legislation has been passed in eight other states, including Connecticut, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and New York. 

HHS extends PHE 

WASHINGTON – The Department of Health and Human Services has extended the public health emergency for another 90 days, until July 16, 2022. There are a number of HME-related provisions that are tied to the PHE, including Medicare’s 75/25 blended reimbursement rates for non-rural, non-competitive bidding areas, and waivers of certain telehealth restrictions and other waivers and policy changes. The PHE was initially declared on Jan. 27, 2020.   

Option Care pays $60M for SPNN 

BANNOCKBURN, Ill. – Option Care Health has completed its acquisition of Specialty Pharmacy Nursing Network for $60 million in an all-cash transaction. SPNN will maintain its current operations and continue to serve a broad array of infusion providers, specialty pharmacies and biopharmaceutical manufacturers as a separate enterprise within Option Care Health. “I am thrilled to welcome the entire SPNN team to the Option Care Health family,” said CEO Joh Rademacher. “SPNN’s track record of growth and clinical expertise is unsurpassed and highly complementary to our relentless focus on reimagining the infusion care experience. The acquisition is a critical strategic investment to further enable our future growth.” The acquisition was originally announced in February. 

 NHIF publishes journal 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Home Infusion Foundation has launched Infusion Journal, a scholarly publication featuring independent research and studies on infused therapies, patient outcomes, medication safety, economic analyses and case studies. The inaugural issue features the findings of a first-of-its-kind time study of home infusion pharmacist professional services. Using time utilization data collected in a NHIF-sponsored multi-center study, researchers determined infusion pharmacists spend an average of 35.85 minutes per day caring for each patient with variations in workflow based on the highly customized nature of the clinical practice. “Pharmacist professional services are paramount to the success of the home infusion process, but—until now—we haven’t had the data to accurately describe time spent on specific tasks related to patient care,” said Connie Sullivan, BSPharm, president and CEO of the National Home Infusion Association. “The ability to quantify and document these services represents a significant step forward in our ability to advocate for appropriate reimbursement and gives provider organizations insight into their own processes.” Researchers also determined the categories of professional services the pharmacist provides and the time and task differences between therapy types and methods of administration. 

VGM names Lockard to lead respiratory division 

WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM & Associates has named Boone Lockard, CRT, as its new director of VGM Respiratory. Lockard, who started his career as a respiratory therapist at Lehan Drugs, has more than 12 years of experience in the DME industry. He also worked on the manufacturer side with Philips Respironics for three years as a key account manager. “I am looking forward to working with the VGM membership on building additional value and navigating challenges in the industry,” said Lockard. “VGM has been an invaluable resource for me throughout my career. I’m excited to work with this team and meet our members.” Lockard started at VGM on April 11. Lockard’s experience as an RT, combined with his knowledge of clinical, operations, billing, management and sales, will be “invaluable” for VGM Respiratory, says Dave Lyman, RRT, senior vice president of sales for VGM & Associates. “Boone will bring a new perspective to the respiratory program, and we look forward to seeing how he continues to move the program forward,” he said. 

GEMCORE donates supplies to Ukraine 

HUDSON, Ohio – GEMCORE has sent medical supplies to support humanitarian response efforts in Ukraine, including to hospitals in the capitol city, Kyiv. GEMCORE, the parent company of distributor GEMCO Medical, has sent more than 12,000 medical supply items to the country, including supplies for trauma care, through a partnership with Integra Partners and WCH Service Bureau. “We are deeply saddened by the escalating humanitarian crisis that has been evolving in Ukraine,” said Matthew Edwards, GEMCORE’s CEO. “Our company culture is built on care, not only for our customers and colleagues but for communities here and around the world. In these times, it is more important than ever to help where we can.” In addition to GEMCO Medical, GEMCORE comprises Edwards Health Care Services, GemCare Wellness and GEM Edwards Pharmacy. During the pandemic, GEMCORE also donated thousands of silicone wound dressings to University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic to help frontline health care workers experiencing friction injuries from wearing personal protective equipment. It has also donated more than 100,000 meals to Akron-Canton Regional. 

CAMPS seeks input on managed care transition 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Association of Medical Product Suppliers (CAMPS) and the University of California, San Francisco, have launched a survey to collect provider experiences on the state’s transition to a Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan for California Children’s Services (CCS). Anonymous results from the survey, which should only take three to five minutes to complete, will be shared with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). In 2018, DHCS instituted a Whole Child Model program in select counties throughout the state that incorporated covered services for CCS into a Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan. The deadline to complete the survey is April 18. 

 Healogics talks foot health 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Healogics kicked off April with its chronic foot health awareness efforts in collaboration with National Foot Health Awareness Month. Its goal: To educate the public on the importance of foot health to prevent wounds and the need for regular foot exams to detect non-healing wounds. "With the increased incidence of diabetes, foot ulcers and even amputations, it is important for those living with chronic wounds, as well as those who are at risk, to have access to information on wound healing," said David Bassin, Healogics CEO "Throughout April, we seek to educate our communities and health care providers in an effort to improve access to wound care for all that need it." The efforts are also part of Healogics’ 2022 Healing Can’t Wait program. The company served more than 330,000 patients last year through a network of nearly 700 Wound Care Centers. Its team is made up of almost 3,000 employees, 4,000 affiliated physicians and a Healogics Specialty Physician practice group of nearly 300. 

The Wound Pros adds vice president 

LOS ANGELES – The Wound Pros has named Dr. Swati Hans as its new vice president of business development. Hans joins The Wound Pros to specifically manage the growth of the skilled-nursing facility sector. She will work closely with Daniel Yeager, senior vice president of sales and marketing. Hands is a licensed health care professional with more than 10 years of experience in patient care and more than five years of experience in utilization review for worker’s compensation cases in California and Texas. In addition to skilled-nursing facilities, The Wound Pros partners with hospice agencies and home health care companies to offer advanced wound care dressings and biologics to heal acute and chronic non-healing wounds.