NEWS BRIEFS
NEWS BRIEFS
Web site singles out Y2K noncompliant devices
As the year 2000 (Y2K) fast approaches, the potential for Y2K problems that could inhibit your ability to provide quality care looms large. If you’re wondering how much of your equipment and software are vulnerable, the Internet can help you find out.
To force manufacturers to respond to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) queries regarding Y2K compliance of their products, Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) has recently published in the Congressional Record a list containing the names of nonresponding companies. Of 1,935 domestic and foreign manufacturers queried by the FDA, fewer than 800 have responded.
The list of nonresponding companies can be found on the World Wide Web at www.gpo.gov. Use the search engine at the site.
The FDA also has published a list of devices identified by their manufacturers as non-Y2K compliant. This list is available on the Web at www.fda.gov/cdrh/yr2000/y2kprblm/html.
Senate hears testimony on Y2K’s health care impact
Included in testimony before the Senate Special Committee on the year 2000 (Y2K) problem’s effect on the pharmaceutical and food industries were recommendations to create a national patient hotline and National Patient Advocacy Council.
That testimony came from Lauren West, speaking for Minneapolis-based Rx2000 Solutions Institute. She also noted that any interruption in the supply of medications caused by Y2K could injure millions of Americans, including West, who takes medicine following brain tumor surgery.
"I will die without a regular supply of medi cines," she told the committee. "The year 2000 crisis is not a theory’ to me."
The full text of West’s testimony is available at the Rx2000 Solutions Institute Web site at www.rx2000.org, or by calling (612) 835-4478.
OptionCare announces management realignment
Bannockburn, IL-based OptionCare recently announced that Michael Rusnak will replace Rick Hanson as chief executive officer and president. Rusnak has been with OptionCare since 1997, most recently as chief operating officer. Hanson has resigned to pursue other interests, but will consult with the company during the transition.
Several other changes were announced in the management staff of OptionCare, a national network of 175 company-owned and -franchised locations providing home infusion therapy, home health nursing, respiratory therapy, durable medical equipment, and other home health services.
Feds’ AIDS costs top $5 billion
The General Accounting Office (GAO) in Washington, DC, reports that federal programs will spend $5 billion — about half of treatment costs — to treat AIDS and HIV patients in 1998. The costs rose about 5% from 1997, when federal programs and agencies spent $4.8 billion to cover HIV and AIDS costs, the GAO says. The GAO projects escalating costs because combination drug therapies are keeping AIDS patients alive longer. The report adds that preventing one AIDS-related hospitalization each year, with daily costs averaging $7,000, can offset the annual costs of combination therapies.
New group formed to combat GPOs
Medical device manufacturers, patient rights advocates, and consumer groups recently formed a working group intent on ending the limitations set on health care providers by group purchasing organizations (GPOs). Called "For Patients’ Sake," the group is calling for a General Accounting Office study, an antitrust investigation, and congressional hearings.
As an example of how GPOs limit providers, the group notes that the two largest GPOs affect the buying decisions of nearly two-thirds of all acute care hospitals. Under restrictive "high-compliance" contracts, members receive bulk purchasing discounts but have limited access to medical equipment outside the contract.
CALENDAR
• JCAHO Seminar on 1999-2000 Standards for Home Infusion, LTC Pharmacy and Ambulatory Infusion — Nov. 31-Dec. 1, Austin, TX. For information, call (630) 792-5800.
• Healthcare Information Technologies Conference and Exposition — Dec. 8-10, Boston. For information, call (978) 474-1900.
• 1999 American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Research Workshop: Anabolic Hormones in Nutrition Support — Jan. 31, 1999, San Diego. For information, call ASPEN at (301) 587-6315. Web site: www.clinnutr.org.
• American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 23rd Clinical Congress — Jan. 31 - Feb. 3, 1999, San Diego. For information, call (301) 587-6315. E-mail: [email protected], or go to ASPEN’s Web site at www.clinnutr.org.
• Center for Healthcare Environmental Management certification seminar — Feb. 1-5, 1999, Oakland, CA. For information, call (610) 825-6000, ext. 145.
• American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Teleconference on Nutrition Support in Critical Care — March 18, 1999. For information, call (301) 587-6315, e-mail [email protected], or go to ASPEN’s Web site at www.clinnutr.org.
• INS Annual Meeting and Industrial Exhibition — May 1-6, 1999, Charlotte, NC. For information, contact INS at (617) 441-3008.
• Center for Healthcare Environmental Management certification seminar — May 17-21, 1999, Plymouth Meeting, PA. For information, call (610) 825-6000, ext. 145.
• HIDA/99 Trade Show — Oct. 10-12, 1999, Navy Pier Convention Center, Chicago. For information, call (703) 549-4432.
• Medtrade 1999 — Nov. 3-6, 1999, New Orleans. For information, call (770) 641-8181.
Subscribe Now for Access
You have reached your article limit for the month. We hope you found our articles both enjoyable and insightful. For information on new subscriptions, product trials, alternative billing arrangements or group and site discounts please call 800-688-2421. We look forward to having you as a long-term member of the Relias Media community.