Medtrade Fall 2009 Product Picks
HME highlights from this year’s show.
Medtrade Fall 2009, held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga. from Oct. 13 to 15, showcased offerings from more than 500 exhibiting companies. There were a number of product debuts and major enhancements at this year’s show. Here are some notable releases worth reviewing, as well as a summary of other product releases worth investigating if you weren’t there to see them in person.
Sleep
Sleep Therapy System Offers Range of Options
Philips Respironics debuted its Sleep Therapy System, which provides a single platform that can deliver a range of therapy options to treat mild to severe sleep conditions. The new system incorporates Philips Respironics’ Flex family of airway pressure technologies, and integrates its System One Humidity Control to help patients ensure they have a consistent humidity level. The system also lets physicians review patient data either using a web-based system called Encore Anywhere or a desktop system called Encore Pro.
Philips Respironics
(800) 821-2710, ext 245
www.respironics.com
Bath Safety
Grip Grab Bar Promote Shower Safety
Bridge Medical attracted a good deal of attention to its booth, which was showcasing its 4-inch Tile Grip portable suction grab bar, which safely adheres to 4-inch tiles found in showers and bathtubs. Two 3.7-inch-diameter suction pads apply to any flat non-porous surface to provide a strong hold. The device’s telescoping handle is designed to fit any tile configuration. The unit is designed with non-corrosive metal components that won’t damage surfaces.
Bridge Medical
(877) 746-7940
www.bridge-medical.com
Diabetes
Blood Glucose Monitor Serves Up Fast Results
The GLUCOCARD Vital Blood glucose monitoring system is easy to use and gives accurate results in as little as 7 seconds. The unit features automatic coding, which reduces the number steps for testing and errors. The system requires a 0.5 μL sample size and has a 250-test memory with a time and date stamp.
ARKRAY USA
(800) 818-8877
www.arkrayusa.com
Software
Upgraded HME Software Manages Workflow
Fastrack was demonstrating the latest functionality of its HME software system: its Automated Workflow Manager is designed to track each step of the business process, from patient intake and the receipt of a new order, to delivery truck routing. The software keeps providers informed about order stages, and issues notifications if orders are held up. Workflow Manager also keeps track of job responsibilities and alerts users about new orders and events.
Fastrack Healthcare Systems Inc.
(800) 520-2325
www.onlyfastrack.com
Seating
New Cushion Gives Mobility Patients Skin-Cooling Air Flow
Quantum Rehab showcased its Spectrum Air cushion, which is designed for mobile wheelchairs. The cushion features a 4-inch multi-cell air insert and an antibacterial and waterproof Sil-Air silicone base that helps reduce odor. The base provides maximum airflow and comfortable skin protection. Unique air-flow properties help keep skin cool and dry while precision air volume adjustment prevents bottom-out or high pressure from over inflation. The seating system offers a standard 3- millimeter ACM solid seat insert.
Quantum Rehab
(800) 800-8586
www.quantumrehab.com
Lifts
Lift Gives Patients a Leg up
Mangar’s Multifit Leglifter was on display, showing it how it can help patients who are unable to lift their legs from a bedside sitting position onto a bed. A push button operates the device, which does not require manual lifting. The unit has a 300-lb. weight capacity and installs to any standard bed size. The product folds flat against the side of a bed when not in use, and is designed to fit into confined spaces. Molded contoured casing conceals machine parts and the frame.
Mangar USA
(800) 901-5269
www.mangarusa.com
Oxygen
Upgraded POC Offers Easier Use, Adjusts to User Needs
SeQual unveiled its Eclipse 3 personal ambulatory oxygen system, which provides continuous flow or pulse dose treatments. The POC also features increased ease of use for patients, including simple battery swaps. The system features autoSAT technology, which automatically adjusts to the user’s increased oxygen demands. The unit is equipped with an ergonomic battery latch, AC and DC chargers and a transportable cart design. The product measures pulse dosing up to 192 milliliters and has three variable rise time options. To read an expanded story about the Eclipse 3, see Product Premier, page 13.
SeQual Technologies Inc.
(800) 826-4610
www.sequal.com
Auto Access
Platform Lift Supports Variety of PMDs
Pride demonstrated its Silver Star Backpacker Plus Interior Platform Lift, a pre-assembled single-piece platform that is designed to accommodate a variety of scooters and power chairs. The product features a three-button hand control, manual override, adjustable wheel chocks on the platform surface and a 350-lb. lifting capacity. The platform accepts multi-purpose and standard battery packs.
Pride Mobility
(800) 800-8586
www.pridemobility.com
Other Key Medtrade Releases
Blue Chip showed its portable Chair-Air AC/DC pump, which uses an alternating pressure mattress system to help mobility patients who are at high risk for pressure sores, and can integrate with a geriatric chair, recliner or standard high-back wheelchair. The multiple bladders gently alternate, providing low interface pressures and support (www.bluechipmedical. com)
EZ-ACCESS’s Rubber Threshold Ramp provides a safe and smooth ground-to-sill transition (www.ezaccess.com)
Philips Respironics showcased its FullLife full-face mask, which provides sleep patients with a step-by-step numbered headgear system for easy fitting and assembly (www.respironics.com)
AirSep showed its AirSep’s VisionAire lightweight in-home oxygen concentrator, which features 5 lpm continuous flow, 290-watt power efficiency and a 40dBA decibel level (www.airsep.com)
Noble House demonstrated its Noble*Direct patient billing and management software which helps providers manage patient appointments with a patient appointment scheduling interface and database
(www.nobledirect.com)
Contour Products showed off its BackMax wedge cushion system, which provides positioning for individuals recovering from tummy tucks, shoulder, hip and knee surgeries and orthopedic injuries (www.cpappillow. com)
McKesson Medical- Surgical’s TRUEbalance blood glucose monitoring system uses TRUEfill technology and is equipped with a large display and easy-to-handle test strips which promotes quick and accurate results (www.mckesson.com)
Computer Applications Unlimited Inc.’s Solution/One HME Web Edition software was on display, showing how its built-in scheduling feature displays prioritized tasks and events, as well as how it can give providers real-time inventory counts (www.cau.com)
The Mirage SoftGel Nasal Mask from ResMed provides comfort to patients and features a soft DoubleGel cushion and a durable seal that minimizes the pressure on the bridge of the nose (www.resmed.com)
Med-Lift displayed the Dawson fabric line for its lift chairs, which features a large palette of solid colors and fits on all lift chair models, as well as its all-leather line with multiple colors and options (www.medlift.com)
Aeda demonstrated its Aeria 10 Pro mattress replacement system, which is designed to treat and prevent pressure ulcers, and features an inner static cell that remains fully inflated, which prevents bottoming out (www.aeda.com)
Juzo showed its Soft Silver Sole graduated compression therapy socks, which are designed with Fibersoft and Xstatic pure silver fiber, and are available in 20-30 mmHg and 30-40 mmHg compressions (www.juzousa.com)
MedFORCE Technologies demonstrated its WorkFLOW business process management software, which tracks orders and processes in real time and issues schedule notifications, as well as identifies unnecessary, duplicate or inefficient steps to enhance billing processes (www.medforcetech.com)
Graham Field’s John Bunn Neb-a- Doodle pediatric nebulizer features an interactive drawing board, which children can draw, doodle and write on during their nebulizer treatment (www.grahamfield. com)
Drive Medical showed its Health Ox fingertip pulse oximeter, which is designed for individuals who exercise frequently and operates continuously with two AAA batteries (www.drivemedical.com).
This article originally appeared in the December 2009 issue of HME Business.