Medline’s respiratory portfolio takes off

MUNDELEIN, Ill. – Medline has started adding more complex products to its respiratory portfolio, starting with the Flight 60 ventilator. 

The company became the exclusive distributor for the Flight 60, made by Flight Medical Innovations, in the first quarter. Paul Miller, director of business development for HME, described the product as an invasive and non-invasive vent that’s transportable, durable and can be used on a wide range of patients, from infants to bariatrics. 

“If we learned anything in the last few years, with the supply chain challenges and the recalls, it’s that we want to step up and cover the full continuum of care,” he said. “We’re going to build from this to also add an oxygen concentrator and a CPAP device. We are a respiratory company.” 

Medline also boosted its portfolio of respiratory products in 2021, when it bought the Hudson RCI brand, which includes the Neptune Heated Humidifier, Comfort Flo Plus High Flow Cannula and Humidification System, and the AQUPAK Prefilled Nebulizers and Humidifiers, along with other products. 

Flight Medical, founded in 1996, and its Flight 60 vent are well-established, with Medline’s role more about providing sales power and supporting tech advances, Miller says. 

“It’s all about execution from here,” he said. 

One of those tech advances: the ability for Flight 60 to provide high-flow oxygen. Flight Medical is currently going through the 510(k) process with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the Flight 60 to provide this capability and, once approved, the company will initiate a free software upgrade to put it in use. 

“Patients are sicker than in the past and their needs, even in the home, are more acute,” said Shauna Winston, RRT, RCP, sales director for the Americas for Flight Medical. “We want to have all the capabilities to take care of all the patients in one device.”