The tools for detecting problems before the bubble up
CPAP
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (May 16, 2018)—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given Bleep clearance to market its Bleep DreamPort, a light and headgear-free CPAP interface.
Bleep’s DreamPort aims to solve the major current problems with many masks in the industry: comfort, bothersome headgear, leaks, weight and size restrictions.
Answers from industry experts
Sleep-related equipment providers in D.C. area had major win.
WATERLOO, Iowa (March 28, 2018)—VGM recently helped solidify an important win for providers of sleep-related equipment in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia.
VGM took action after members raised concerns over a letter received from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. In the letter, CareFirst notified providers of its intentions to reduce the number of durable medical equipment providers participating in the network authorized to dispense CPAP equipment.
LAS VEGAS (March 27, 2018)—At Medtrade Spring in Las Vegas, Nevada (March 27-29), Royal Philips, a provider of health technology, announced the launch of DreamWear Full face, the third mask option available for its award-winning DreamWear mask system. Philips Respironics used the company’s proprietary design tools to analyze facial data from thousands of 3D scans to create a design that prevents red marks, discomfort, and irritation on the nose bridge.
Undiagnosed sleep apnea is a global health issue.
PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. (March 13, 2018) Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare will recognize World Sleep Day, March 16, to raise awareness of the need for quality sleep and the prevalence of undiagnosed sleep apnea in Latin America.
The tech giant will co-sponsor a performance of an eight-hour lullaby in Austin, Texas.
AMSTERDAM (March 12, 2018)—Ahead of World Sleep Day on March 16, Royal Philips, a provider in health technology, has released the findings from its annual global survey in the report, “Better Sleep, Better Health. A Global Look at Why We’re Still Falling Short on Sleep,” which looked at what keeps people in 13 countries from getting their optimal night’s rest.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla (February 7, 2018)—3B Medical is excited to announce the release of the 3B Lumin. Lumin is a safe, easy and fast way to disinfect a CPAP mask and accessories.
Third-party sellers endanger patient safety.
—Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 14, 2017)—AAHomecare has learned that third party sellers in North Dakota (and possibly other states) have been advertising and selling through Amazon.com CPAP devices without a prescription or any other medical supervision. Such sales are likely in violation of state and federal laws, as well as Amazon’s own restrictions on the sale of prescription devices.
SAN DIEGO (December 6, 2017)—ResMed has been named a 2017 “Medtech Company of the Year” finalist by MD+DI, a news resource in the medical device and diagnostic industry.
Technology is the key to preventing readmissions
Self-monitoring for CPAP patients increased adherence, ResMed study finds.
SAN DIEGO (November 21, 2017)—CHEST, the publication of the American College of Chest Physicians, has published a ResMed study that shows patient engagement apps significantly improve adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy.
The research included more than 128,000 patients, making it the world's largest study to look at sleep apnea and self-monitoring.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (October 3 2017)—Retailers can increase Q4 foot traffic at their locations with FSA/HSA spenders and Contour Products’ CPAP accessory line. Contour’s full line of CPAP accessory products is now approved for health benefit spending.
Millions of Americans are using these employer accounts to pay for their health needs, and Contour not only wants consumers to be able to use these benefits for comfort, but also make paying for our products easier.
Baumhover and Markusen teach you how to direct your product lineup.
ATLANTA (September 27, 2017)—Medtrade attendees asked for more retail/caretail-themed educational sessions, and organizers responded. One session in particular will address the crucial transition from a reimbursement model to retail and/or partial retail. The first step is often the most difficult, but Medtrade presenters Rob Baumhover and Maria Claire Markusen are experts in helping HME providers to take the leap.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (September 18, 2017)—3B Medical, Inc. is pleased to announce the hiring of two industry veterans to lead 3B Medical’s sales and marketing team. Brett Townsend has been hired as 3B Medical’s vice president of sales and marketing. Jose Llana, M.D. has also joined 3B as its new national sales director.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (September 13, 2017)—3B Medical announces FDA clearances for two new CPAP masks. The Viva is 3B's newest nasal mask. A light, simple and comfortable design makes this nasal mask stand out from the competition. The Numa Full Face Mask also received FDA clearance and shares the same design philosophy for simplicity, flowing lines and light weight. Both masks provide maximum comfort and superior sealing, to aid patient compliance.
The new feature saves time and money for suppliers.
ATLANTA (September 12, 2017)—Managing compliance for sleep apnea patients and increasing resupply revenue just got easier for home medical equipment (HME) providers, as Brightree today announced automated resupply enrollment for patients managed by both Brightree and AirView by ResMed.
AMSTERDAM, (July 19, 2017)—Stemming from the success and positive reception of DreamWear, Royal Philips has introduced a new option to its award-winning line of innovative, open-face sleep therapy masks. The new Gel Pillows module features the same comfort and freedom of movement as the original, but now offers an additional choice in cushion type that can be easily changed out within the same mask frame.
Philips study shows 92 percent of patients are not receiving PAP therapy.
TUCSON, Ariz. (July 10, 2017)—COPD hospitalizations are at an all-time high. The 30-day readmission rate for patients ranges from 20 to 39 percent, with related health care costs at an estimated $50 billion. A recently published study, funded by Royal Philips, revealed that although positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy was associated with a reduction in hospitalization, more than 92 percent of patients studied were not receiving it in any form.
The live call center capabilities enable HME providers to connect patients directly when managing resupply orders.
ATLANTA (July 5, 2017)—Brightree LLC, a provider of cloud-based software to improve business and clinical performance of post-acute care organizations, announced today that it has acquired AllCall Connect, a provider of a live-calling solution for CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) patient resupply.
Reports results for CPAP, BiPAP and retail service operations
LENEXA, Kan. (June 14, 2017)—FreshAire CPAP & Supplies, LLC, a growing medical equipment supply company, that provides sleep apnea equipment in the Wooster, Ohio area, is successfully using CareTend software to manage its HME business operations. Since contracting with Mediware Information Systems to use the CareTend solution, FreshAire CPAP & Supplies has improved productivity and improved compliance for all CPAP, BiPAP and retail service operations.