In brief: Solara Medical Supplies acquires Active Healthcare, ResMed launches digital tool for selecting masks

CHULA VISTA, Calif. - Solara Medical Supplies has acquired the diabetes division of Active Healthcare.

The Raleigh, N.C.-based Active Healthcare, a provider of CGMs, insulin pumps and supplies, was founded in 1990 by Steven and Lisa Feierstein.

“We are proud of what we have built at Active Healthcare and our diabetes team is excited to grow further with the capabilities that Solara provides,” said Lisa Feierstein.

The deal is Solara's fourth acquisition following its investment by Linden Capital Partners in May 2018. Others include South Carolina-based Pal-Med, Illinois-based Huey's Home Medical, and Ohio-based J.M.R. Medical.

“Active Healthcare's diabetes business strengthens our presence in North Carolina and builds upon our strategy to enhance patient service, broaden our national reach and increase value for our manufacturer partners,” said Ron Labrum, chairman of Solara and operating partner at Linden Capital Partners.

Solara was founded in 2002.

ResMed launches digital tool for selecting masks

SAN DIEGO - ResMed has launched ResMed MaskSelector, a digital tool to make remote patient mask selection and sizing easier and more effective, helping patients receive the care they need from home.

MaskSelector creates personalized ResMed mask recommendations based on a patient's sleep attributes and facial measurements.

“ResMed MaskSelector is the digital health technology solution to HMEs' challenge of finding the right mask for each patient when they can't physically see them due to physical distancing,” said Jim Hollingshead, ResMed Sleep president. “Mask fit and comfort is key to a new CPAP user's therapy success, and this online tool helps clinicians find the best option for their patients—today and long after this pandemic ends.”

ResMed says HME providers say they need better remote capabilities to fit and select masks for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent survey of roughly 300 clinicians. Fifty-five percent of respondents stated mask selection was the area where they either experienced or expected the most challenges with remote setup patients. Additionally, 54% said they were likely to continue offering remote CPAP setups to their new patients in the future.

Here's how MaskSelector works: An HME provider provides a HIPAA-compliant single-use link via text or email to a patient, who then answers a brief questionnaire and enters three facial measurements into the ResMed MaskSelector portal; based on the patient's responses, the tool recommends one of ResMed's masks, along with options for alterative ResMed mask models and sizes.

ResMed is offering MaskSelector at no charge now through Dec. 31, 2020, to help HME providers serve their patients during the pandemic.

Protech 'ready to seize on industry forces'

CINCINNATI - Protech Home Medical reported revenues of $24.1 million in the second quarter of 2020, a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2019. Adjusted EBITA for the quarter was $4.9 million. Net income for the quarter was $1.6 million, compared to a loss of $0.5 million for the same period in 2019. The company received more than $7.5 million in payments related to the CARES Act. “These second quarter fiscal 2020 results showcase the resiliency of our business model, and I could not be prouder of our whole team,” said CEO and Chairman Greg Crawford. Protech's supply chain for critical equipment has remained strong during the COVID-19 pandemic, officials say, helping the company to transition patients out of the hospital system to free up beds. “In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the emphasis on the need for in-home health care has been magnified, and robust industry tailwinds have developed as a result,” Crawford said. “We believe this pandemic has underscored the importance of Protech's mission going into the future, and as a dynamic home health care provider, we are ready to seize on these industry forces.”

AdaptHealth taps new CFO

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. - AdaptHealth has appointed Jason Clemens, CFA, as CFO, effective Aug. 3. Clemens has nearly two decades of financial leadership, most recently as senior vice president and operations chief financial officer at MEDNAX, a national provider of health solutions for hospitals and health systems. He also served in the U.S. Army. "I started my career with the U.S. Army, and ultimately transitioned to health care, because mission and service are very important to me,” said Clemens. “I'm excited to join AdaptHealth and their leadership team, to be part of a greater mission of empowering patients to live their best lives.” Clemens succeeds Gregg Holst.

Change Healthcare launches solutions update, expands access in wake of pandemic

NEWTON, Mass. - Change Healthcare, a healthcare technology company that provides data and analytics-driven solutions, has launched InterQual 2020, the latest edition of its flagship clinical decision support solution, and is providing immediate access to InterQual COVID-19 content to providers and payers nationwide. “Clinical decision-making and care management have always been challenging, but clinicians today are facing new and highly complex utilization issues,” said Laura Coughlin, RN, vice president of strategy and clinical development with Change Healthcare. “The latest enhancements to InterQual help address many of the pressing clinical issues these teams encounter, and further automate resource-intensive activities.” Content in the latest release includes new criteria for DME aligned with national and local coverage determinations.

NSM, Operation FINALLY HOME bring 'sunshine' to veteran

AUSTIN, Texas - National Seating & Mobility and Operation FINALLY HOME have partnered to provide a new wheelchair ramp for Ray Marin, who served in the U.S. Marines for six years during the Vietnam War.

After open-heart surgery, a stroke and a battle with cancer, Operation FINALLY HOME provided home modifications to support his needs.

“NSM is committed to breaking down barriers to support independence for all who deserve to live life without limitations,” said Bill Mixon, NSM CEO. “We are honored to work with Operation FINALLY HOME to provide home solutions for our country's veterans, including this deserving Marine and his family.”

NSM collaborated with National Ramp on the donation and the installation of the ramp.

“NSM responded so quickly and the new ramp looks like it was made for our back-door threshold,” Marin said. “Lucy and I can now go to our backyard to be in the sunshine, walk our dogs and enjoy our waterfall.”

Operation FINALLY HOME is a nonprofit that provides homes and home modifications to America's military heroes and widows. For additional information or to apply for consideration for a home or home modification, please visit operationfinallyhome.org/apply

Access2CRT conference pushed to 2021

WASHINGTON - NCART and NRRTS will not hold an Access2CRT Summit this year, after originally postponing it in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers had hoped to reschedule the event, originally slated for March 30-31, in the fall. “We believe this is in the best interest of everyone involved,” the organizations said. “As an alternative for 2020, we will be planning a virtual grassroots event to maintain congressional communication as a part of our annual National CRT Awareness Week (August 10-14.” Those who have paid registration fees for 2020 can have the amount held for 2021 or request a refund by emailing Amy Odom at aodom@nrrts.orgby June 5.

Option Care Health extends use of compliance solution

BANNOCKBURN, Ill. - Option Care Health has expanded its use of Wolters Kluwer's Simplifi 797, its web-based compounding compliance solution. Option Care Health's expanded use of Wolters Kluwer's solutions will allow it to standardize training and promote nationwide adoption of best practices to ensure staff and patient safety, and maximize efficiency. “Safety and quality are at the forefront of everything we do,” said Don Filibeck, vice president of pharmacy. “Wolters Kluwer is a trusted partner that shares our commitment to quality results and we are confident in our decision to extend the use of Simplifi 797 to our newest facilities.” Option Care Health serves more than 220,000 patients annually.

Vote for RESNA 2020 board

ARLINGTON, Va. - Voting is open for RESNA's 2020 board of directors. Information about the candidates, including nomination statements and CVs, is posted on the voting site. Candidates are vying for the positions of president-elect, secretary and three board seats. All voting is online. All eligible members should have received an e-mail notification from the RESNA office with username, password and link to the voting system. If you have not received this e-mail, or have technical difficulties, please contact the RESNA office.

Singular Sleep adds CPAP titration service

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. - Singular Sleep, an online sleep apnea center, has launched a new program to help patients find the required pressure for their CPAP machines from their homes.

“The traditional method has been to undergo an in-lab CPAP titration study after the diagnosis of sleep apnea is made to find the most effective pressure setting for the individual,” said Dr. Joseph Krainin, president of Singular Sleep. “However, due to COVID-19, the vast majority of sleep labs are closed. We have become aware that, because of these closures, many people have been unable to start the CPAP therapy that they need.”

Instead of spending a night in a sleep lab, Singular Sleep sends an auto-titrating CPAP machine (APAP) to the patient's home that has been sterilized and outfitted with new air filters, tubing and water chambers. The patient uses the machine for a week and then returns it to Singular Sleep.

The APAP records the pressures that were needed to keep the patient's airway open during the night. Krainin reviews the data from the machine and recommends the optimal pressure setting for the patient.

In addition to finding the initial CPAP pressure, the service can be used for CPAP pressure rechecks, known as “retitrations.”

Incontinence affects majority of middle-aged women, Aeroflow study finds

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Almost 72% of women between ages 40-64 have experienced bladder control or leakage issues, according to a survey sponsored by Aeroflow Healthcare. About 65% say they experience bladder leakage at least once a month and 25% say it's a daily occurrence. Other findings: More than half of women say incontinence affects their daily lives and activities, including work, education and exercise. Additionally, more than half of women say they have not visited a health care provider after experiencing loss of bladder control, and 37% say they did not seek treatment because they did not think it was a big deal. "Incontinence shouldn't be embarrassing, but it all starts with health care providers educating patients on the symptoms, how common this issue is and how to address it,” said Aleece Fosnight, PA-C and medical advisor for Aeroflow Urology. “We hope this study raises awareness around the prevalence of incontinence in all women and how important it is for us to start having meaningful conversations on the topic to, ultimately, drive earlier detection and treatment for patients." A third party polled more than 1,000 women aged 40 to 64 living in the United States to conduct the survey.

Numotion Foundation contributes to COVID-19 relief

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - The Numotion Foundation has contributed $100,000 to the COVID-19 relief efforts of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation will primarily use its $50,000 contribution to support its mission to enhance the health and quality of life of those living with paralysis, and continue research on new treatments for spinal cord injury. “We are grateful for the Numotion Foundation's support, which helps ensure that those living with paralysis, their families and caregivers are not overlooked during this pandemic,” said Peter Wilderotter, president and CEO of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The MS Society plans to use its $50,000 contribution to support its MS Navigator program. The Numotion Foundation is making these contributions this year in addition to the more than $500,000 in other contributions to nonprofit organizations focused on research, adaptive fitness and wellness, adaptive recreation, education, housing, transportation and other mobility related needs.

CareCentrix adds Dr. Popiel to board

HARTFORD, Conn. - CareCentrix has added Richard Popiel, MD, MBA, to its Strategic Advisory Board. Dr. Popiel brings industry insights and years of expertise leading health care transformation, most recently as executive vice president and corporate chief medical officer of Cambia Health Solutions, a Portland, Ore.-based health insurer. “COVID-19 exposed the fragility and fragmentation of our health care system and demonstrated once again the value of providing more care to the home,” said John Driscoll, CEO. “Dr. Popiel's experience delivering innovation and change at scale within large health plans and provider organizations will help us accelerate opportunities to bring care home.” Popiel has also held senior leadership roles at Regence Health Plans, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and Kaiser Permanente. He joins an eight-member Strategic Advisory Board that welcomed former Cleveland Clinic CEO Toby Cosgrove, MD, earlier this year.

United Spinal partners with Google Accessibility

WASHINGTON - The United Spinal Association has partnered with the Google Accessibility team to provide its members with information on products and services that help people with disabilities have greater independence. Brook McCall, United Spinal's community manager, has been trained by the Google Accessibility team on a number of products and accessibility features and functionalities, and will serve as a resource for members with questions. As part of the partnership, United Spinal will also publish product highlights, with the first featuring Google Nest. “Voice-enabled technology is a game changer for our community to enhance quality of life at home and encourage independent living,” the organization says. “Through products such as the Google Home Mini, you can have greater control of daily takes from turning on music to finding out the latest news.”

FODAC raises $45K for HME

TUCKER, Ga. - Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) raised more than $45,000 on its 20^th Run Walk 'n Roll on May 9. The event, one of the organization's main annual fundraisers, was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. “We were overwhelmed by the response from our supporters who enthusiastically embraced the reformatted event,” said Chris Brand, president and CEO of FODAC. “Many nonprofits have had to postpone or cancel major fund-raising events because of COVID-19 and the resulting social restrictions, but FODAC friends took up the challenge in diverse and inventive ways to raise a record amount of funds to support our mission.” More than 150 participants across the country “got moving” through a variety of activities, including running or walking on a treadmill, rolling through their neighborhoods, hiking trails or riding bikes. Many participants posted photos and videos of themselves on social media with the hashtag #MovingwithFODAC. Funds from the event will support FODAC's mission to provide HME, including wheelchairs, at little to no cost for mobility challenged recipients and their families and caregivers. Last year, FODAC's HME program provided more than 8,500 items to the disability community. Ten percent of FODAC clients are children.

Short takes: Etac, Aeroflow Breastpumps

Etac North America has announced two new territory managers. Renaud Vantyghem is the new territory manager for western Canada, and Mark Gil, ATP, is the new territory manager for southern California and southern Nevada. Vantyghem, based in Kelowna, B.C., has more than 20 years of experience in the mobility industry. Gil, based in Long Beach, Calif., has more than 12 years of experience… Aeroflow Breastpumps has added the Willow Wearable Breast Pump to its product portfolio. The all-in-one, in-bra pump retails for $499.99. Aeroflow Breastpumps will offer the Willow as an insurance upgrade option.