In briefs: Philips layoffs, Home Oxygen Company buy, FAHCS rebrand

MURRYSVILLE, Pa. – Philips Respironics will cut 300 manufacturing jobs in Western Pennsylvania and relocate approximately 500 workers from its Pittsburgh headquarters to its two major plants in the nearby suburbs, according to local news reports. 

Starting in the fourth quarter of 2024, the company will move workers to its centers in Murrysville and New Kensington, a move that is expected to take two years, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 

The company said it will continue manufacturing through a “third party” outside of the region, but did not provide any more details. The restructuring is expected to leave about 900 jobs remaining in the region. 

In April, Philips signed a consent decree with the Food and Drug Administration related to a recall in 2021 of certain respiratory devices that requires, among other things, the company to select and retain an independent expert to conduct inspections at certain facilities for several years.  

The company also in April agreed to pay $1.1 billion to resolve the personal injury litigation and the medical monitoring class action related to the recall. It did not admit any fault. 

Read about Philips’ ‘renewed focus’ 

Home Oxygen Company acquires DME division of hospice provider 

MODESTO, Calif. – Home Oxygen Company has acquired the DME division of Community Hospice & Health Services in Modesto, Calif. “We are honored to service Community Hospice & Health Services patients,” said Andrea Ewert, CEO Of Home Oxygen Company. The deal was finalized June 15; terms were not disclosed. Home Oxygen Company has moved its warehouse to a larger, 10,000-square-foot distribution center to accommodate the purchase and serve as a regional distribution enter for its warehouses in Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay area. Community Hospice & Health Services will have greater access to the latest respiratory technology and services. George Herbert, the DME division manager, will retire after 28 years in the industry. 

VGM Sleep Services earns HQAA accreditation 

WATERLOO, Iowa—VGM Sleep Services has earned accreditation from the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation (HQAA), which now designates them as one of only a few outsourced clinical service programs in the post-acute homecare industry. “I could not be prouder of our team here at VGM Sleep Services,” states Boone Lockard, vice president of clinical services, VGM & Associates. “This milestone signifies the commitment we are making to create the most intuitive and robust PAP setup/compliance program that the market has to offer. This is one of many significant moves yet to come.” Launched in December 2022, VGM Sleep Services strives to enhance compliance and boost resupply revenue by offering virtual set-ups by a licensed clinician and one-on-one coaching and compliance services from patient care coordinators and sleep coaches. “Becoming accredited with HQAA signifies a commitment to excellence and trustworthiness in the field of sleep health,” said John Carter, vice president of Sleep and Respiratory Compliance Services. “It is a mark of quality that assures our DME partners and their patients of the highest standards of care, safety, and professional integrity.” 

Prochant adds financial intake process for home infusion 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Prochant is enhancing its workflow and analytics platform, Prochant Pulse, with a new Financial Intake Workflow to improve eligibility verification and prior authorization for infusion pharmacies. This latest enhancement to Prochant Pulse underscores Prochant's commitment to technological innovation and delivering superior solutions for its clients. "We recognized the critical need for a solution that assures timely and high-quality completions of benefits verifications and prior authorizations in the infusion pharmacy sector,” said Matt Pretzer, M.D., chief product officer. “The Financial Intake Workflow addresses this need by providing a seamless, efficient process within Prochant Pulse, empowering our clients to enhance their revenue cycle management and achieve greater operational efficiency.” Prochant Pulse's streamlined processes facilitate a smoother intake process and enhance both the patient and provider experience by reducing delays. 

U.S. Rehab to offer tech training seminar 

WATERLOO, Iowa – U.S. Rehab, a division of VGM, will offer tech training Sept. 10-11 in Minneapolis. U.S. Rehab tech training is two days of in-person education and hands-on experience with manual and power wheelchair repair. Technical trainers from Ki Mobility, Merits/Avid Rehab, MK Battery, Motion Concepts, Permobil, and Sunrise Medical will present product specifics and work through basic repair strategies, troubleshooting, and programming. Tech Training participants have the choice between a basic or an advanced track. As an IACET Accredited Provider, VGM Education offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. VGM or U.S. Rehab membership is required to attend this event. FMI or to register, go here. 

Invacare employees raise $28K for wheelchair mission 

ELYRIA, Ohio – Invacare’s month-long fundraising and active campaign, its first annual Move for Mobility, in partnership with Free Wheelchair Mission, was a global fundraising initiative that inspired hundreds of employees to get out and be active within their communities. Four-hundred and twenty-five employees from 20 countries participated in various activities, including horse riding, surfing, mountaineering, yoga, and marathons and raised more than $28,000. With Invacare’s fundraising, 294 wheelchairs from Free Wheelchair Mission will be provided to people with disabilities in under-resourced countries.  “The Move for Mobility global fundraiser was a very successful effort of the Invacare team,” said Geoff Purtill, president and CEO, Invacare.  “This campaign illustrates our company's commitment to accessibility and inclusion across communities worldwide.” Purtill visited the Dominican Republican recently, distributing wheelchairs with Free Wheelchair Mission. Free Wheelchair Mission is a US-based humanitarian nonprofit that designs, manufactures, and distributes wheelchairs for use in developing countries. Since 2001, the organization has distributed over 1.4 million wheelchairs in 95 countries, all at no cost to their recipients. 

FAHCS rebrands, revamps website 

CARY, N.C. – Florida Alliance of Home Care Services (FAHCS) has rebranded and relaunched its website. “As part of our commitment to better serve our members and the home-care community, we have undergone a comprehensive rebrand, complete with a revamped website designed to enhance your experience and provide you with even more valuable resources,” said FAHCS. The new website, which “represents the vibrancy of the members and community we represent,” features regularly updated content that covers home-care trends, developments and best practices. FAHCS, which celebrated its 15th anniversary earlier this year, will hold its 2024 annual meeting and exhibit July 31-Aug. 1 at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld FAHCS’s new logo and visual identity “reflect our mission to stay at the forefront of home-care advocacy and support,” the organization added. “The updated design represents our dedication to progress, innovation, and the well-being of our community.” 

NCPA, InStep join forces to support independent pharmacies 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association has partnered with InStep Health, a leader in in-store marketing solutions, to provide local independent pharmacies with state-of-the-art, turnkey marketing and education solutions. Independent pharmacists who participate will have access to InStep Health’s proven in-store marketing displays, product samples, and educational materials designed to enhance customer engagement, elevate brand awareness, boost revenue, and increase profits in local pharmacies. The marketing activations are offered to pharmacists and store locations for free. “We are thrilled to partner with the NCPA to bring our proven in-store marketing solutions to independent pharmacies nationwide,” said Jason Wilkinson, registered pharmacist and InStep Health’s Senior Vice President of Retail and Client Solutions. “Empowering these vital health care providers with the tools they need to create actionable customer experiences, uplevel their services, drive incremental script revenue, and build strong brand loyalty is a significant step toward ensuring their success in today’s competitive marketplace.” As the role of community pharmacists has expanded in recent years, many provide integrative and collaborative health services in addition to administering and dispensing prescriptions. Independent pharmacists are at the forefront of personalized patient care, representing a $94 billion marketplace. This partnership will further support these vital health care professionals in their evolving roles. 

Cork Medical taps Cates to oversee operations 

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Cork Medical has appointed Mike Cates as its new president to oversee business operations. Cates has more than 25 years of experience in global manufacturing and healthcare leadership, including Ascension St. Vincent Indiana, the Grundfos Group, the Peerless Pump Company and General Electric. “My leadership philosophy is predicated on eight key principles: service, empowerment, listening, development, inclusivity, collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement,” said Cates. “These principles allow me to be a servant leader centered around selfless service, empathy, and a commitment to the growth and well-being of those I lead.” Cork Medical is entering its second year of rapid growth due to a rebranding, restructured production workflows, and expanding its Nisus NPWT portfolio and Cates will become a valuable asset for the company’s continued growth and scalability in 2024 and beyond. “Having Mike fulfill the role of president to support our executive team creates a strong leadership dynamic,” said Brian Karns, Cork Medical chief operating officer. “He will ensure the plans created by our executive team are executed effectively. This alignment can indeed foster better collaboration across departments, streamline processes, and drive company growth. 

Aeroflow Urology adds women’s health expert to medical advisers 

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Aeroflow Urology has named Lopa Pandya, MD, MS, FACOG, to its growing list of medical advisers. Pandya, a women’s pelvic health expert, will expand the company's education resources with her expertise in urogynecology and pelvic reconstruction surgery. "I'm very proud to be joining Aeroflow Urology as a medical advisor and look forward to providing my expertise to a company that holds the same value of quality care as I do," says Pandya. "I enjoy finding ways to improve my patients' quality of life with relatively simple pelvic floor treatments, and I am excited to share that knowledge with both the Aeroflow Urology team and their customers." Aeroflow Urology, a subsidiary of Aeroflow Health, is a nationwide provider of continence care supplies.