In brief: ResMed, Respironics both boast improved adherence

SAN DIEGO - Remote monitoring and automated coaching from ResMed significantly improve the use of CPAP therapy for patients with obstructive sleep apnea, according to an independent study presented last week at the SLEEP conference in Denver. As part of this largest-ever, randomized, controlled study on OSA in the United States, more than 500 patients on CPAP therapy received support, including remote monitoring and automated coaching from ResMed's U-Sleep platform. Those who received support from U-Sleep achieved Medicare-defined adherence 21% more than the average study participant over a 90-day period, the study found. “Anything that significantly increases CPAP use in the first 90 days is a big deal,” said Dr. Dennis Hwang, a sleep specialist at Kaiser Permanente's Fontana Medical Center and the study's principal investigator. “That initial period is crucial for patients to embrace CPAP to treat their sleep apnea, which is linked to heart failure, atrial fibrillation, Type 2 diabetes and other serious conditions. Tools like U-Sleep hold a lot of promise for patients on CPAP and the clinicians who treat them.” The U-Sleep patient management platform provides individualized feedback via text, email or phone based on CPAP use.

Philips Respironics improves adherence with new service

MURRYSVILLE, Pa. - Philips Respironics has launched Patient Adherence Management Service, a connected management solution using cloud-based data to support treatment adherence for sleep and respiratory patients. PAMS marries the company's EncoreAnywhere software, DreamStation PAP therapy devices, its portfolio of masks and DreamMapper patient engagement application with a new Patient Outreach Protocol to boost adherence rates up to 24% within the first 90 days, the company says. “With this new connected management service, our goal is to help patients fully engage with and adapt to their therapy, ultimately helping them live healthier lives,” said Dr. Mark Aloia, vice president and global lead, behavior change for Philips, a speaker at this week's SLEEP conference in Denver. The Patient Outreach Protocol includes personalized calls, emails and texts to deliver education, motivational reminders and support from sleep coaches and respiratory therapists.

Mediware release amps up retail capabilities

LENEXA, Kan. - The next release of Mediware's CareTend will enable HME and home infusion providers to grow their retail operations. The release's point-of-sale capabilities give providers the tools they need to quickly process transactions using their own hardware. The POS system is scalable for single and multi-site operations, so providers can see all transactions, inventory items and sales, regardless of location. Transactions are processed using barcode scanning and multiple forms of payment are accepted.

Universal Software steps up partnership with Vantiv

DAVISON, Mich. - Universal Software Solutions has enhanced its partnership with Vantiv Integrated Payments. Universal Software has made a fully integrated EMV (Europay, MasterCard and Visa) U.S.-based processing solution with a Vantiv processing platform available for its Healthcare Management Data System (HDMS). Customers will benefit from chip card payment solutions and services, and advanced security products and reporting tools. “We're thrilled to work with USS to help make the healthcare payments ecosystem more secure and keep cardholder data safe,” said Matt Downs, head of business and channel development integrated payments at Vantiv. The enhancement will be available in the third quarter of 2016. Universal Software and Vantiv have been partners since last summer.

Early registration opens for Medtrade

ATLANTA - Early registration for Medtrade opens Monday. “We are preparing a show that is designed to help providers deal with changing times,” said Kevin Gaffney, group show director. “Early registration is the first step toward making your plans to find the solutions you need.” Early registration gets attendees $75 off the trade show floor and $200 off the conference program. Medtrade, the HME industry's biggest trade show, is set for Oct. 31-Nov. 3 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. To register, go to www.medtrade.com.

Lab Tactical redesigns newsletter

ATLANTA - Lab Tactical has redesigned its “Lab Notes” email newsletter for HME providers. Now called “The Renaissance Provider,” the free newsletter will focus on sharing news about profitable, patient-centered solutions for HME businesses. The first edition includes tips on “How do I transition to an outcomes-driven clinical model?” Among the answers: replace the word outcome with value, and treat compliance criteria like a yield sign in your billing process.

Short takes

Pittsburgh-based Circadiance has launched the SleepWeaver Advance pediatric soft cloth CPAP mask. The company recently received FDA clearance to market the mask in the United States, after launching the product in Europe several months ago. The mask is making its debut at the SLEEP conference this week in Denver…Sioux City, Iowa-based Mercy Home Medical Equipment has appointed Micah Bonderson as manager. Bonderson was previously a branch manager for Avera Home Medical Equipment in LeMars, Iowa. He also has experience as a respiratory therapist…An Aquatec OceanDual shower chair from Oakdale, Pa.-based Clarke Health Care Products was selected and used by Dr. Stephen Hawking during this recent trip to New York to promote a new project. The chair, which features tilt-in-space and recline positioning and matches a chair Hawking uses at home, was transported to various hotels during his stay. National Seating and Mobility in Garden City, N.Y., arranged the purchase and delivery of the chair…The use of absorbent briefs with curly fiber significantly lower/acidify skin pH, reducing the risk for incontinence-associated skin damage, according to a study announced by Hartmann, a Rock Hill, S.C.-based manufacturer of incontinence, wound care and compression therapy products. The study was led by Donna Bliss, a renowned incontinence researcher and professor at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing.