Legal Issues
Hillcrest Healthcare, Inc, Uncasville, CT, has entered into a civil settlement agreement with the US government to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to the Medicare and Medicaid programs, according to the United States Attorney's Office, District of Connecticut. In entering the civil settlement, Hillcrest did not admit liability.
During a joint federal-state investigation into quality of care problems at Connecticut's nursing homes, widespread problems were uncovered at Hillcrest Healthcare Center, a nursing home owned by Hillcrest Healthcare, Inc. It was alleged that some of the quality of care problems were so severe that they led to the death of a resident. In that instance, the resident was taken to a hospital emergency department with a widespread septic infection allegedly caused by improperly treated pressure ulcers. Also suffering from malnutrition, anemia, and dehydration, the resident died the following day.
The government alleged other serious quality of care problems related to other residents at Hillcrest, including severe pressure ulcers, dehydration, weight loss, inadequate staffing, and failure to follow plans of care.
As a result of the civil settlement, Hillcrest will pay double damages on a portion of the services billed to Medicare and Medicaid for various nursing home patients, as well as civil penalties, for a total amount of $750,000. Hillcrest will also be permanently excluded from the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Last year, Hillcrest agreed to surrender its nursing home license and pay the state of Connecticut a civil fine of $200,000. It also paid a $10,000 fine earlier this year in connection with a plea of nolo contendre to charges of manslaughter in the second degree.
[black up pointing small triangle] Information:http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/ct/Press2005/20050518.html
Products
Misonix, Inc, Farmingdale, NY, has received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its Ultrasonic Wound Debridement System specifically for wound debridement. The device was previously approved for use in soft-tissue aspiration.
In clinical tests, use of the system resulted in better granulation of the wound bed with minimal or no bleeding at the wound site. Clinicians using the device will be able to distinguish tissue types and stop debridement when the viable tissue bed is reached, according to the manufacturer.
[black up pointing small triangle] Information:http://www.misonix.com
Celleration, Inc, Eden Prairie, MN, has received FDA clearance for expanded indications for the MIST Therapy System 5.0. The system can be used to promote healing on a variety of wounds, including acute, traumatic, chronic, and dehisced wounds. Treatments with the compact, portable device take only a few minutes.
[black up pointing small triangle] Information:http://www.celleration.com
Companies
The stockholders of CLOSURE Medical Corporation, Raleigh, NC, have approved an agreement for Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ, to acquire the company.
CLOSURE Medical designs, develops, and manufactures a number of wound care and wound closure products based on a proprietary medical-grade cyanoacrylate technology. This technology is found in the line of DERMABOND Topical Skin Adhesive products marketed by ETHICON, Inc, under an exclusive distribution agreement. The same technology is also used in BAND-AID Brand Liquid Bandage and other products for consumer and veterinary use.
[black up pointing small triangle] Information:http://www.closuremed.com
National Healing Corporation (NHC), Boca Raton, FL, has named Stephen P. Rydzak, MD, FACP, to its physician's advisory panel. A certified hyperbaric physician and wound specialist, Dr Rydzak will consult with the medical directors and physicians at each of the NHC's wound healing centers.
NHC has also promoted Ted Tomter, RN, CWOCN, to vice president of clinical services. His new duties will include overseeing clinical services and programming for the company's wound healing and hyperbaric programs in the eastern region of the country.
[black up pointing small triangle]Information:http://www.nationalhealing.com