In brief: AAH supports study, Inogen ready to roll

WASHINGTON - AAHomecare is throwing its weight behind a study to determine the impact of education on compliance and outcomes for COPD patients.

The association says it will help recruit HME providers and patients to participate in the Peer-Led O2 Infoline for Patient and Caregivers study, which is funded by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute.

“As the national association for HME providers, AAHomecare is well positioned to help the PELICAN study recruit HME providers and their patients,” stated Tom Ryan, president and CEO, in a press release. “This study will go a long way toward quantifying the impact of peer coaching on adherence and self-management, leading to better patient outcomes.”

Participating providers will conduct four home visits to collect information about the oxygen equipment in the patient's home and his or her oxygen prescription.

To participate, patients must be at least 18 years old, have COPD, be prescribed for 24-hour oxygen use, be expected to live at least six months and speak English or Spanish.

AAHomecare says providers and patients will be compensated for their participation.

The study is being conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois Breathe Chicago Center, National Jewish Health, LA BioMed, AlphaNet and the COPD Foundation.

Partner organizations include Apria Healthcare, Fitzsimmons Home Medical Equipment, American Association for Respiratory Care, Invacare, Klingensmith Healthcare, Wellspan Medical Equipment, Orbit Medical, Rush University Medical Center, Sturdy Memorial Hospital and Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital.

Inogen's new facility ready to roll

GOLETA, Calif. - Inogen's new manufacturing facility is now operational, the company announced March 25. The 23,890-square-foot facility in Richardson, Texas, will support manufacturing, packaging and logistics. Inogen will convert its prior manufacturing space into office space. “Our goal is a balance of infrastructure growth with cost control through scalable manufacturing, reliability improvements, optimizing asset utilization and reducing service costs,” said President and CEO Raymond Huggenberger in a release. Inogen announced on March 12 that it was delaying the release of its fourth quarter and year-end earnings to investigate “potential accounting matters.”

AAH launches Legislative Council

WASHINGTON -AAHomecare's newly formed Legislative Council met for the first time last week to discuss information sharing, as well as common HME regulatory and advocacy goals. The group hopes to promote collaboration among the government relations professionals of the association's member companies. During the meeting, AAHomecare's Kim Brummett, vice president of regulatory affairs, provided a regulatory update, while Jay Witter, senior vice president of public policy, offered a legislative update.

TiLite gives tour of facilities

PASCO, Wash. - TiLite recently gave nine para-athletes a behind-the-scenes look at how custom wheelchairs are made. “It's a somewhat unique American manufacturing success story in and of itself, with what we do with our custom tailored wheelchairs,” said John Roach, TiLite's chief information officer, in a release. The wheelchair manufacturer hopes the tour will help drum up interest in parasports.

Show organizers name top 10 retail products

LAS VEGAS - Medtrade Spring organizers have announced the top 10 finalists for its Innovative HME Retail Product Awards. The finalists advance to an onsite judging round at Medtrade Spring this week at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. During a session on March 31, judges and attendees will pick the top three winners. The finalists are: Titan Swivel Chair from ComforTek Seating, PainAway Wireless TENS from Drive Medical, Golden Cloud PR510 Power Life and Recline Chair from Golden Technologies, OrthoSleeve from ING Services, Foot Gym from ING Services, IWALK 2.0 Hands Free Crutch from IWALK Free, LC-385 Lift Chair with FirstUp Technology from Pride Mobility, REMZZZs CPAP Mask Liners from REMZZZs, Viverity Pain Relief Paid from Roscoe Medical, SleepSaver from Stevenson, Inc., and Breezy Elegance Retail Wheelchair from Sunrise Medical. The session, “Best New Retail/Cash Opportunities,” is open to all attendees.

Short takes: CCS Medical, HOMES

CCS Medicalhas named Rodney Carson president and CEO. He joins the company from MDLIVE, the nation's second largest telehealth company, where he was president of operations. He also spent time as president of Liberty Medical's mail-order pharmacy business...The Home Medical Equipment Services Association of New England will present the April Mason Home Care Advocacy Award to Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., at the Northeast Post-Acute Care Symposium, May 11-13 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Conn. Larson has supported the industry's efforts to reform the competitive bidding program and create a separate benefit for complex rehab.