New RNA Corporate Headquarters
RNA Medical®, a division of Bionostics Inc, moved to Devens, Mass. RNA is a leading third-party supplier of blood gas, critical blood analyte, and point-of-care glucose controls and related services. (800) 533-6162; www.RNAMedical.com.

Inpatient Surgery for Oxygen Therapy
TransTracheal Systems Inc Englewood, Colo, developed an in-patient surgical procedure for otolaryngologists called Fast Tract, making it easier to provide life-extending transtracheal oxygen therapy to oxygen-dependent patients. This reduces healing time compared to the traditional out-patient method.

Options in the past included the nasal cannula and the SCOOP® transtracheal oxygen catheter, which, once inserted into the trachea, delivers a constant flow of oxygen to the patient. SCOOP catheters draw less oxygen from the patient’s tank, resulting in additional patient mobility, but deliver more oxygen to the bloodstream compared to nasal cannulas, and reduce resting oxygen flow rates by 50% to 60%. Transtracheal oxygen therapy performed on an outpatient basis, however, is labor intensive for the physician.

The Fast Tract method, developed by otolaryngologist Alan Lipkin, MD, solves this problem. The surgical procedure involves the placement of a TransTracheal Systems SCOOP oxygen catheter performed on an inpatient basis with an overnight hospital stay. With Fast Track, healing time is reduced from 8 to 2 weeks, complication rates are reduced due to the quick healing time, and the oxygen flow begins the following day, as opposed to the following week, because the surgeon creates a functional track.

A Fast Track Systems Pack is available from TransTracheal Systems making procedures easier for surgeons to perform. www.tto2.com.


Sensor Recycling Program Saves Money and Waste
Nellcor, now part of Tyco Healthcare, Pleasanton, Calif, announced that the Nellcor® Sensor Recycling Program saved the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Walnut Creek, Calif, over $32,000 since it joined the program just over a year ago. In addition, 518 pounds of medical waste has been avoided—waste that is usually incinerated or sent to landfills.

Walnut Creek is one of 20 Kaiser facilities to join the recycling program. Together, the hospitals have avoided 1.75 tons of medical waste and saved a total of $264,936.

In the Nellcor Sensor Recycling Program, participating hospitals send used Oxisensor® II Adhesive Sensors to Nellcor. The company then remanufactures them to the same quality specifications as new Oxisensor II sensors. For every case returned, program participants can purchase a case of remanufactured sensors at significant savings.

One of the key components of success in sensor recycling is the use of Sensortech Services, an exclusive front-end preprocessor for the Nellcor Sensor Recycling Program. Sensortech Services makes sensor recycling a turnkey operation within the hospital by assisting with collection and return.

“Hospitals are under enormous pressure to reduce both expenses and medical waste while maintaining quality patient care,” says Christine Cunningham, senior director of marketing for Nellcor. “Our exclusive contract with Sensortech makes this possible for hospitals to accomplish.” (800) 663-3336.


logoDHD Healthcare Receives Award
DHD Healthcare Corporation, Wampsville, NY, received the Medical Design Excellence Gold Award for Acapella™, its chest physical therapy device. The awards were presented in June during a ceremony at the Medical Design and Manufacturing East 2001 Conference and Exposition at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York.

Acapella™ is a chest physical therapy device that uses a vibratory positive-expiratory pressure (PEP) system, combining the benefits of the PEP therapy and airway vibrations to improve secretion clearance, facilitate opening of airways, and prevent or reverse atelectasis.

“The key is that we’re selling not just a new device, but a new therapy,” says Fred Richards, director of marketing and business development. “Our therapy involves a patient simply breathing into the Acapella and the device then triggering a process that releases lung secretions.” (800) 847-8000; www.dhd.com.


Radiometer and Premier Sign 2-Year Agreement
n Radiometer America Inc, Westlake, Ohio, and Premier Inc, Charlotte, NC, signed a 2-year contract for the supply of blood gas analyzers, transcutaneous monitors, and related supplies within point-of-care and centralized testing. The established agreement, according to Radiometer, is to meet the different cost-effectiveness needs of Premier’s members.

Radiometer’s offering includes a broad line of advanced testing equipment and software used by small as well as large hospitals and integrated delivery networks. The ABL700 Series, ABL77, and NPT7 are included. RADIANCE, Radiometer’s STAT Analyzer Management Software for remote monitoring and control of multiple analyzers, is also a part of the offering.

“Premier members are always looking for partners to provide products that give not only competitive pricing but added value to their efforts to improve health care services,” says Bob Hamon, vice president of Premier’s clinical laboratory services. “Radiometer’s proposal met those needs for the members.” (800) 736-0600; www.radiometeramerica.com.


New Addition to Orphan Medical
John Howell Bullion, chairman and CEO of Orphan Medical Inc, Minnetonka, Minn, announced that Pamela J. Stahl joined the company as vice president of commercial operations where she will manage the company’s marketing, US and international sales, distribution, and professional and patient services functions. Patti Engel, former vice president of marketing and sales, left the company to form her own consulting company, but will continue to work with Orphan Medical on government affairs and corporate communications projects. www.orphan.com.