Baxter Enhances Fluid and IV Delivery Through Acquisition

Baxter International, an industry leader in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology acquires Baxa Corporation, a privately held nutrition and IV delivery company. This acquisition will enhance Baxter's capabilities to produce industry leading technology and distribute to a larger market more effectively. Publicly traded, Baxter International has been providing solutions to the medical industry for over 80 years.

Specializing in treatment of immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, and other chronic and acute medical conditions, Baxter has stood at the forefront of IV nutrition and delivery systems. The cutting edge technologies such as multichamber containers and admixing have revolutionized delivery systems while a complete line of nutrient infused fluids have helped treat and sustain afflicted patients globally.

In order to further the development of nutrition products, Baxa has been joined into an already groundbreaking company structure. Having developed safe and effective products in the private sector for years, it is believed that Baxa will be a strong asset for Baxter International's ongoing success.

Dental Offices Required to Carry AED Devices

Beginning in 2012 all New York State dental offices will be required to have an onsite AED device for treating sudden cardiac arrest. Automatic Electronic Defibrillators help to assess an affected individuals heart rate and apply the necessary shock to help re-establish a healthy rhythm. Dentists are currently required to be trained to use these devices, but until now, have not been mandated to have one available in their office.

On June 17th, 2011 the New York State Legislature signed into law this regulation regarding AED devices. The bill was supported by many organizations including the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. Studies have suggested that the survival rate of an individual in cardiac arrest is significantly reduced for each minute without treatment.

Many public facilities, health clubs, and health concious locations have already begun to possess AED devices, but this law will now extend these to 13,000 dental facilities state wide.

Nursing Home Reimbursement

Medicare and medicaid reimbursement programs have reduced payout levels by over 11%. What does this mean to you, your family, your facility.

The obvious impact of this cut means that funding will be limited and it will be necessary to cut nursing home care and administration costs to cover the gap. Since food and supplies are necessary, these cuts will likely come in the form of care quality and staffing. Already overworked medical care professionals will be further affected by this change.

Medical supplies must now adapt to the environment by offering competitive pricing allowing homes to still procure the supplies and equipment they need. As this trend increases, affected by a struggling economic support systems, it is likely that there will be an increased push toward private and home health nursing care.

Competitive Bidding Program For Durable Medical Equipment

In an effort to increase quality and reduce costs for durable medical equipment purchased with medicare dollars, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will be initiating a competitive bidding process. What this means is that only approved suppliers will be selected to distribute durable medical equipment to medicare eligible patients. While this program is intended to improve many aspects of the medical supply chain for medicare recipients, it has been posited that the program may have adverse effects on the medical supply industry.

Currently, there are a number of medical supply distributors across the country that have developed much of their business by providing durable medical equipment to medicare eligible patients. Because of the bidding process being implemented, many of these suppliers will no longer be able to provide this equipment and receive medicare reimbursement. As a result, a significant amount of business will be transitioned to the approved supplier. While this does lock in an approved cost and product quality level for medicare payout, it also restricts competition and will have a negative impact on smaller business.

Speculation on the program indicates that it is likely that initially there will be increased quality and lower cost for durable medical equipment from these approved suppliers. However, critics have suggested that the long term effect will drive down business for many smaller businesses, and creating a monopoly-like structure, will in the long term drive up costs and decrease quality as well as significantly affecting the small business market.

Pro Advantage Soft Nitrile Exam Gloves

Pro Advantage now offers Soft Nitrile Examination Gloves. These gloves are designed with ease of use in mind, conforming to the hands and reducing or eliminating the stiffness typically associated with nitrile gloves.

The Pro Advantage Soft Nitrile Exam Gloves are powder-free and come in sizes ranging from x-small to x-large to suite any size hand and are applicable in a range of medical professions. Anyone from acute, primary, and extended care facilities to veterinary and dental offices can utilize these examination gloves for basic use and procedures.

Pro Advantage also offers powdered, powder-free latex, and vinyl examination gloves providing an expansive line suitable for nearly all needs. Increase the comfort and protection associated with medical treatment by utilizing one of the many available styles of glove.