Reimbursement
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has granted a Medicare billing code for HydroMed dressing manufactured by Cardiotech International, Inc, Woburn, MA. Under code A6242, the product is described as a hydrogel dressing, wound cover, pad size 16 square inches, without adhesive border.
HydroMed is a moisture-donating wound dressing designed for use with pressure ulcers, lightly exudating wounds, and minor burns. The dressing can also be applied as a facial mask for use after plastic surgery or dermabrasion.
Companies
Stratus Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Kendall, FL, a minority owned pharmaceutical distributor and manufacturer, has been awarded a 2-year contract with the Purchasing Alliance for Clinical Therapeutics (PACT) for all Stratus products, including the papain and urea debriding ointments Kovia and Ziox.
Wound Care Strategies has launched its Ecommerce site, an online store, at http://www.woundcarestrategies.com. This allows the company to take orders for its skin and wound care documentation system via the Internet. Forms are created and site-tested by Wound Care Strategies to assist caregivers and providers in documentation and to enhance existing practices to support high-quality skin and wound care.
Michael E. Steadman has been named president of tissue management at HEALTHPOINT, Ltd, Fort Worth, TX. Steadman was formerly senior vice president of DFB Pharmaceuticals, Inc. HEALTHPOINT is DFB's sales and marketing affiliate company.
Infection Control
Hospitals in the United States need to upgrade their infection control techniques and technologies, according to a national survey of hospital infection control practitioners. Ethicon Products, a Johnson & Johnson Company, Somerville, NJ, commissioned the survey.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that surgical site infection or other serious complications may be directly linked to patient risk factors and characteristics, such as age, presence of metabolic disease, the surgical procedure, medical personnel, and the hospital facility. Complications include failure of the wound to close properly, recurrent pain, and disfiguring and disabling scars.
Nearly 75% of clinicians surveyed were concerned with their facility's infection control practices. Those surveyed did, however, reveal that infection control remains a top priority in US hospitals. About 25% report going beyond current or published guidelines to help ensure patient health.