The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has determined that there are insufficient data at this time to demonstrate significant functional distinction or significant therapeutic distinction between negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) products, or any such product component, to justify a separate Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System code(s). In its November 2, 2009, document, the CMS states that after reviewing all relevant evidence, it found no direct or indirect studies that compared clinical outcomes using different manufacturers' NPWT devices or that compared clinical outcomes using foam dressings versus gauze dressings using the same or different NPWT devices.
[black up pointing small triangle] Information:http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedHCPCSGenInfo/Downloads/NPWTREV_FINAL
NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals Corp, Princeton, New Jersey, announced a definitive agreement with subsidiaries of Smith & Nephew plc, St Petersburg, Florida, for the sale to Smith & Nephew of substantially all of NUCRYST's operations and assets, including all rights to its proprietary nanocrystalline silver technology. NUCRYST licensed worldwide rights for SILCRYST wound care coating products to Smith & Nephew plc, which markets these products in more than 30 countries under its Acticoat trademark. NUCRYST has developed its proprietary nanocrystalline silver in a powder form, referred to as NPI 32101, for use in medical devices and as an active pharmaceutical ingredient.
NUCRYST also entered into an amalgamation agreement with the Westaim Corporation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which currently owns approximately 75% of NUCRYST's outstanding common shares. Under the amalgamation agreement, NUCRYST will amalgamate with a newly formed subsidiary of Westaim to form Amalco (the "Amalgamation").
[black up pointing small triangle] Information:http://www.nucryst.com
American Biotech Labs, LLC, Salt Lake City, Utah, developer of a new class of products based on the company's patented nanocatalytic SilverSol Technology, announced that the company has obtained clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration to market its ASAP Antibacterial Silver Wound Dressing Gel as a prescription 510(k) medical device throughout the United States. Under the FDA 510(k) medical device clearance, American Biotech Labs can market its ASAP Antibacterial Silver Gel "for use in the management of first- and second-degree burns, stasis ulcers, pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, lacerations, abrasions, skin tears, surgical incision sites, device insertion site wounds, graft sites, and donor sites."
[black up pointing small triangle] Information:http://www.americanbiotechlabs.com
Organogenesis, Inc, Canton, Massachusetts, a leading regenerative medicine company focused in the areas of bioactive wound healing, oral regeneration, and biosurgery, announced that Geoff MacKay, chief executive officer, and Gary Gillheeney, chief operating officer and chief financial officer, received the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Award in the biotechnology category in New England. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. MacKay and Gillheeney were selected by an independent panel of judges.
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards celebrated its 23rd anniversary in 2009. The program honors entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. As New England award winners, MacKay and Gillheeney are now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 national program.
[black up pointing small triangle] Information:http://www.organogenesis.com
Michael Genau joined KCI, San Antonio, Texas, during the second half of 2009, in the newly created position of Global President, Wound Therapy. In this role, Genau will lead the company's current wound therapy division, which will expand beyond its signature V.A.C. Therapy product. As KCI builds this division, Genau's role will expand to include all operations of the division in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.
Genau most recently served as vice president and general manager of GE Healthcare's Global Diagnostic X-Ray Division. Over the past 20 years, he has served in various executive-level sales, marketing, and operational positions, including with GE Healthcare, GE Medical Systems, and Johnson & Johnson.
[black up pointing small triangle] Information:http://www.KCI1.com
Cherokee Uniforms, Los Angeles, California, announced 6 winners of the 2009 Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award. The recipients represent a variety of healthcare professionals, from hospital employees and visiting nurses to dental hygienists and nurse anesthetists. Each individual was chosen for her exemplary service and for going above and beyond the call of duty to care for those in need. A panel of Cherokee representatives and past Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award recipients selected the 2009 honorees. The candidates were nominated for their exceptional service, sacrifice, and innovation in 1 of 4 categories: advanced practice nurse, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse, and nonphysician healthcare professional.
The 2009 grand prize, top national, and national winners are the following:
Advanced Practice Nurses
* Grand Prize Winner: Diana Webber, MS, ARNP, Hope Medical Clinic, Atoka, Oklahoma
* Top National Winner: Wallena Gould, CRNA, MSN, South Jersey Healthcare System, Vineland, New Jersey
Registered Nurses
* Grand Prize Winner: Diaraye Sylla, RN, BSN, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
* Top National Winner: Andrea Parkhill, RN, BSN, Visiting Nurses Association of Central Jersey, Eatontown, New Jersey
Licensed Practical Nurses/Licensed Vocational Nurses
* Grand Prize Winner: Rosetta White, LPN, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
Nonphysician Healthcare Professionals
* Grand Prize Winner: Stacey Anderson, RDH, School District of Superior, Superior, Wisconsin
[black up pointing small triangle] Information:http://inspiredcomfort.com