Petersen Medical News

Petersen Medical Joins in the Festivities at the Utah State Developmental Center

2011-06-30T15:24:00.000-07:00

Summertime–blue skies, warmer weather, outdoor festivities, and parades.

What happens when you can't go to the parade? Then someone needs to bring the parade to you. That is what the Utah State Developmental Center in American Fork, UT decided.

The Utah State Developmental Center (USDC) is a state operated Intermediate Care Facility for people with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/ID). The Developmental Center offers 24 hour supervised residential and day training/employment services as well as community outreach services. Approximately 235 individuals, many in wheelchairs, reside at the Developmental Center.

Waiting for Parade to Start

Staff at the center decided to put on a parade for its residents and asked some of community members to participate. Firefighters and police from American Fork, UT, a local boy scout troop, Timpanogos High School band from Orem, Utah, and several local companies, including Petersen Medical jumped on board.

On June 23rd, the residents lined up on the parade route around the facility and patiently waited for the parade to begin. The parade began with all the proper bells and whistles--or at least honks and sirens--from the fire engines and police cars.

The first "float" contained the USDC royalty chosen from among some of the residents.

At first the royalty was too shy to wave back at the spectators but soon got into the spirit of it all. In fact, they were having so much fun that they went around the parade route twice!

John Kramer, David Alisa, Amy Demke, Cheyenne Willard, Kiersten Anderson, and Ashley Kramer from Petersen Medical jumped on some scooters and power wheelchairs and raced and spun around, providing one of those "professional drivers; do not attempt this on your own" moments for the residents.

Was the parade a success? It seemed to be. The Petersen Medical staff had a blast showing off for the residents. Did that residents have fun? It seems so. This was a note that Petersen Medical received from USDC: "Thank you so much. Your folks did an amazing job. Everybody couldn't quit talking about it. Please let them know how much we appreciated them. Thank you for your help." Jenn

Thank you, Jenn, for bringing some summertime sunshine into the lives at Petersen Medical!

There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread, but there are many more dying for a little love. ~Mother Teresa

Some Petersen Medical Employees Volunteer to Take A Big Climb for the American Lung Association

2011-02-28T14:02:00.000-08:00

Twenty Three Stories, Five Hundred Ninety Eight Steps–On February 26th, 2011, more than 500 climbers, including a team from Petersen Medical, braved the snow to tackle the twenty three stories, five hundred ninety eight steps of the Wells Fargo Center Tower in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah for the 6th annual Fight for Air Climb hosted by the American Lung Association of Utah.

Petersen Medical's Stair Steppers

Petersen Medical's mission is to help others breathe easier. That is why the company chose to be a corporate sponsor of the American Lung Association's Fight for Air Climb. The American Lung Association is committed to preventing lung disease and promoting lung health through education, research, and advocacy.

Along with the Petersen Medical team, firefighters, runners and members of the community huffed and puffed their way up the Salt Lake City skyscraper and helped raise more than $60,000 for the American Lung Association.

"It works your lungs -- the whole body," said one of the volunteers. "You're beat by the time you get up."

Brandon McFerron Catching His Breath After the Climb

Jean Landon

Marketing Coordinator

www.petersenmedical.com

Petersen Medical—A Proud Sponsor of BYU

2011-02-17T15:27:00.000-08:00

Company and employee support of our "Serve Others First" core value has been achieved in a variety of ways. Obviously, taking the best possible care of our patients is our main focus. But, we also "Serve Others First" by contributing time, money, and support to a variety of different causes.

One of the ways we determined that we could serve others and give back to the community at the same time was to become a corporate sponsor for Brigham Young University's Athletic program for the 2010-2011 year.

Football season provided us an opportunity to give t-shirts at the home football games; we even organized a tailgate party offering free food, prizes, and fun prior to the BYU-San Diego State home game.

Our most fun activity, though, has been the mobility races we organized for time-outs at some of the home game basketball, including the game between #4 ranked San Diego State and #9 ranked BYU. Even more fun was running our mobility race at the rivalry game this past Saturday between BYU (currently ranked #7 ) and the University of Utah, before a sell-out crowd, which included Deron Williams and CJ Miles of the Utah Jazz.

Two volunteers were taken from the audience, given a 30-second training on how to operate the Jazzy scooters, and told that they would race each other (while riding on the scooters). The race consisted of racing to and around walkers placed almost at half court and back again. The first one to make a basket, while still sitting on the scooter, would be the winner.

Check out the photos from of one of our races:
BYU Mobility Race

Though our mobility racing days are over for this year, we still are proud fans of BYU athletics. Good luck to the basketball team!

The Pulmonary Press

2011-02-15T14:23:00.000-08:00

Jean Landon

Marketing Coordinator

www.petersenmedical.com

Medicare Update for 2011

Part B: (Medical Insurance) Premium

Most beneficiaries will continue to pay the same $96.40 or $110.50 premium amount in 2011. Beneficiaries who currently have the Social Security Administration (SSA) withhold their Part B premium and have incomes of $85,000 or less (or $170,000 or less for joint filers) will not have an increase in their Part B premium in 2011.

For all others, the standard Medicare Part B monthly premium will be $115.40 in 2011, which is a 4.4% increase over the 2010 premium. The Medicare Part B premium is increasing in 2011 due to possible increases in Part B costs. If your income is above $85,000 (single) or $170,000 (married couple), then your Medicare Part B premium may be higher than $115.40 per month.

Medicare Deductible and Coinsurance Amounts for 2010, Part B: (covers Medicare eligible physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment): $162.00 per year. (Note: You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for services after you meet the $162.00 deductible.)

Additional information about the Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance rates for 2011 is available in the November 4, 2010 Fact Sheet titled, "Medicare Premiums, Deductibles for 2011" on the www.cms.gov website.

Vast Majority of Hospital Patients Are at High Risk for Sleep Apnea

An eight-question obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) screening questionnaire could assist caregivers in identifying the 81% of hospital patients who are at high risk for OSA, according to Loyola University Health

System research.

The 5-minute screening survey, known as STOP-BANG, was administered by Sunita Kumar, MD, and colleagues during a single day at Loyola University Hospital.

Of the 195 patients surveyed, 157 (80.5%) were at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea; of those, only 31 had been evaluated in an overnight sleep lab and diagnosed with OSA—and just 18 were being treated.

"Undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea may be associated with increased risk of complications in hospitalized patients," the authors reported. "Screening and evaluation for obstructive sleep apnea in high-risk patients should be considered as it may help reduce the burden of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea."

Nov 4, 2010 RT Magazine

Strange But True

A Growing Problem: A Massachusetts man who was suffering from a chronic cough got a big surprise when physicians looked into his lungs: A pea got stuck there and started growing. After removal of the inch-and-a-half long plant, the patient was breathing much better. Would he ever eat peas again? Yep – they were on the plate served to him post surgery, and he just laughed and ate them.

AARC Times, November 2010

Tips on Making a Call to Customer Service

We all occasionally need to clarify a bill or reach out to an agency by phone. It helps to prepare beforehand and get organized:

Have your account info on hand to save time, and a pen and paper in case you need to write notes. It’s also a good idea to get the operator’s name and number in case you get disconnected.

Take advantage of self-service options: You can sometimes obtain answers via a company’s website or an interactive voice response.

Make sure you have a good speakerphone: Chances are you might be on hold for a while, so having a good speakerphone will allow you to multitask and get other things done.

Set aside some time for the problem: If you’ve got a complicated issue to resolve, don’t make the phone call with only 10 minutes to spare before you have to go. You can speed up the process by stating your points succinctly. Writing your thoughts down beforehand may help. And try calling on a Wednesday. On Monday and Tuesday, people are still going through their weekend to-do lists. By Wednesday it quiets down on the call center floor, especially just before lunchtime. Afternoons are always busier as people start to get off work.

Reach an operator: The website GetHuman.com has tips (like what number to press, etc.) on how to get an operator on the line from thousands of volunteers who’ve had to deal with the customer service departments of various companies.

Be civil: Sometimes talking to a customer service representative can be frustrating, but yelling and being belligerent probably won’t help solve your problem. So be reasonable and remember there’s a human on the other end of the line, too. Don’t turn the phone call into an emotional argument. Badmouthing the company to your rep may not help, but it never hurts to be friendly (i.e. ask the rep how they are doing) and may even help you get further.

Petersen Medical Donates Books to the Reach Out and Read Program

2011-01-31T13:41:00.000-08:00

Jean Landon
Marketing Coordinator
www.petersenmedical.com

After the hectic times of the holidays, many find January dull and bleak. For me, however, I grab a good book and take advantage of the spare time by reading.

It is not a surprise, then, when I discovered through the Reach Out and Read program that 34% of children enter kindergarten without the basic language skills they will need to learn to read that I thought gathering preschool books for the local medical offices supporting the program would be the perfect service opportunity for January.

Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud.

Reach Out and Read builds on the unique relationship between parents and medical providers to develop critical early reading skills in children, beginning at 6 months of age. The 3.9 million families served annually by Reach Out and Read read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten better prepared to succeed, with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills, and a six-month developmental edge over their peers.

The last two weeks of January Petersen Medical employees were encouraged to purchase a book for this program. It was fun to see all the different books:

Here they are all packaged and ready to go:

Here's to some happy reading for families in Utah!

The Pulmonary Press

2011-01-14T10:58:00.000-08:00

MedGroup

January 2011

Help Yourself Overcome Grief

Recovering from the loss of a loved one takes more than time. It helps to understand what happens when people grieve.

Many grievers go through stages similar to those a dying patient experiences when coming to terms with the prospect of his or her own death. These stages, as identified by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, include denial, anger, bargaining for more time, depression, and finally, acceptance. The following suggestions offer good places to start on the road to recovery:

  ► Write a farewell letter that highlights your loved one’s strengths and weaknesses. Gaining a realistic picture of your relationship may help you let go.

  ► Develop a personal tribute to your loved one. If he or she liked to garden, for example, plant a favorite tree that will continue to serve as a symbol of your love.

  ► Share what you’re feeling with good friends or a bereavement group, and record your thoughts in a journal. Grief accumulates if you deny what you’re feeling.

► Anticipate special holidays that will remind you of time spent with the person who died, and organize activities with other people to avoid loneliness.
The AARP Booklet: On Being Alone

Salt from Shakers

Who is likely to salt food more…the one who prepares it, or the person who eats it?

The cook usually puts five times more salt in the food being prepared than the person who salts to taste. That’s because salt added to cooked food has a stronger taste.

So if you’re trying to wean yourself away from salt, but the flavor is hard to give up, ask that none be added during cooking. Then when you sprinkle it on to taste, you’ll be cutting back by 80%.
The University of Texas Lifetime Health Letter

How Clean is Your Toothbrush?

Your toothbrush is crawling with germs. Researchers at Hiroshima University examined toothbrushes collected from 150 children and concluded that most carry more than a million bacteria. Even a thorough rinsing and rubbing of the bristles only halved the number.

It might make sense to replace your toothbrush after you’ve been sick to avoid re-infection, and to keep your toothbrush to yourself.

The Myth: You lose most of your body heat through your head
A military study many years ago tested the loss of temperature in soldiers when exposed to very cold temperatures. They found rapid heat loss in the head – and so the idea that we lose heat through our heads was born. But what they didn’t tell you was that the soldiers were fully clothed except for their heads. This obviously skews the statistics considerably. The fact is, completely naked, you lose approximately 10% of your body heat through the head – the other 90% is lost via the other parts of your body.

High-fat Meals Could Make Asthma Worse
British Researchers presenting at the 2010 American Thoracic Society International Conference suggest asthma patients should be advised to forego high-fat meals. They studied 40 patients who were randomized to receive either a high-fat, high-calorie meal containing about 1,000 calories (52% of which were from fat), or a low-fat, low calorie meal containing about 200 calories and 13% fat. Sputum samples collected before the meal and four hours afterward were analyzed for inflammatory markers and pulmonary function tests were performed.

The study showed that a high-fat meal increases airway inflammation and reduced the response to the bronchodilator albuterol.
AARC RC Currents, August 2010 page 85

Weighting on the Holidays
The average American gains seven pounds from November to January.

Heart Attack Signals
Heart attack is the number one killer in the United States. Many heart attack victims die needlessly—because they do not receive emergency care in time. Those who reach the hospital have a much greater chance for survival. Here are the Heart Attack Signals to look for:
► Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest, lasting 2 minutes or longer.
  ► Pain may spread to shoulder, neck or arms.
  ► Severe pain, dizziness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath may also occur.

Emergency Action:
► Recognize the heart attack signals
  ► Stop activity and sit or lie down
  ► Act at once if pain lasts for 2 minutes or more
  ► Call the emergency medical service or have someone take you to the nearest hospital emergency room. If you are with someone who has the signals, expect a denial.

Insist on getting help if the signals last longer than 2 minutes.

The Pulmonary Press

2010-12-23T08:38:00.000-08:00

MedGroup
December 2010

Happy Holidays
We wish you twinkling lights, and light snows,
A home alive with cookie smells,
A child to play with,
A dog to pet,
And the hope of answered prayers.

The Six-Second Quieting Response

When you feel tense, annoyed, or upset—recognize the beginning of a negative reaction to stress. As soon as you recognize these feelings are getting started, make yourself smile and imagine that your eyes are sparkling. A smiling face can’t send negative signals to your brain. If you are in a situation where smiling outwardly would be inappropriate, you can always smile inwardly. You certainly can keep yourself from frowning. In order to counteract the negative thoughts and perceptions that contribute to stress, say to yourself, “Alert, amused mind; calm body. I am on top of this situation.”

Take two slow, deep breaths, counting to four each time you inhale or exhale. Imagine the air slowly filling your lungs from the bottom to the top. As you exhale, keep your jaw loose and relaxed, your tongue resting on the lower part of your jaw, and your shoulders limp and relaxed. Imagine a wave of warmth and heaviness flowing from your head to your toes and relaxing every muscle in your body. Say to yourself, “I can allow myself to relax and handle this situation better.” From Dr. Charles Stroebel, The Six-Second Quieting Response

Medicare put oxygen, wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, walkers and other ‘durable medical equipment’ out to bid in nine cities (Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Kansas City, Miami, Orlando, Pittsburgh and Riverside) with expansion of the same program into 91 additional cities next year.

A limited number of medical providers in each city are now contracted to provide these products after January 1, 2011. A staggering 93% of local providers were NOT awarded contracts, and it is estimated that 39% of all suppliers in a competitive bidding area will likely go out of business.

If you live in one of the above named cities, and have Original Medicare coverage, in most cases, only contract suppliers can provide you items included in the program in order for Medicare to pay for these products.

Information on this complicated transition to a limited choice of Home Medical Equipment providers authorized to continue serving Medicare beneficiaries is available at www.medicalsuppliersnetwork.com.

The American Lung Association has developed a COPD Action Plan in Green, Yellow and Red (like a traffic light). This is used to help you know what to do when your symptoms worsen.

This plan is to be completed by you, with the help of your health care provider, and should be reviewed and updated at every visit.

The plan includes a comprehensive list of symptoms, but you may experience other symptoms as well. If you are unclear as to the actions you should take, please contact your physician/health care provider immediately.

Secret Santas Invade Petersen Medical!

2010-12-21T15:51:00.000-08:00

This year Petersen Medical's service has ranged from donating supplies to young pregnant mothers, cutting material to make bears for abused children, sponsoring wheelchair races for Camp Kostopulos and rubber ducky races for the Make-a-Wish Foundation to helping individual families with medical hardships.

Each time, we asked our employees to donate time, talent, and energy to assist with these causes. And, the response of the employees was heartwarming. It was great to see how many embraced our core value "Serve Others First".

As a fun service to culminate our year of service, we organized a Secret Santa activity for all the employees who wanted to participate. From December 1st through 15, those who signed up to be Secret Santas were tasked with delivering four gifts to their person. There are only two rules: four gifts were to be given during the two weeks and no one was to spend more than $10 total on the four gifts.

It was fun to see the creativity. One Secret Santa decorated their person's desk:

Another Secret Santa drew a fireplace (and window) so her stocking could be "hung by the chimney with care".

The activity ended with a gathering around a chocolate fountain with lots of food to dip into the fountain. Secret Santas were unveiled; employees got their chocolate "fix", enjoyed one another's company and then went back to work.

It was a great finish to a great year of service!

The Pulmonary Press

2010-11-26T11:53:00.000-08:00

MedGroup

November 2010

Myths and Truths about Oxygen

Myth: Once you start using oxygen, you’ll need it for the rest of your life.
Truth: Many people have discontinued oxygen use after other appropriate treatments have taken effect. This can take time, though.

Myth: Oxygen is addictive.
Truth: Oxygen is NOT addictive.

Myth: If I have a stuffy nose, I shouldn’t bother using my nasal cannula.
Truth: Oxygen can still be delivered even if you have a stuffy nose.

Myth: People who need oxygen must be confined to their homes and cannot do anything, including travel.
Truth: People who use oxygen can lead a normal life. There are several types of portable oxygen systems available that allow people to be more active and mobile. Oxygen can improve exercise capacity. People who use oxygen can travel with advanced planning.
Myth: If a little oxygen is good, more oxygen is better.
Truth: Oxygen is a drug. Use it as prescribed or instructed. Like any drug, too much or too little can be harmful.

Myth: Shortness of breath means a lack of oxygen, so if you become short of breath you should use oxygen.
Truth: Shortness of breath is not always associated with a lack of oxygen. If low oxygen is not the cause, taking oxygen will not help. (Your doctor can test to see if you need oxygen by taking an arterial blood sample).

Prescription errors
Electronic prescriptions significantly reduce medication errors according to a study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. Researchers compared the number and severity of prescription errors between 15 health care providers who adopted e-prescribing and 15 who continued to write prescriptions by hand. A review of the paper-based prescriptions and electronic prescriptions found that one year after adopting e-prescribing, the percentage of errors dropped from 42.5% to 6.6% for the providers using the electronic system. For those who continued to write prescriptions by hand, the percentage of errors increased slightly from 37.3% to 38.4%. Illegibility problems were completely eliminated by e-prescribing.

H1N1 Update
H1N1 influenza spreads through households at a slower rate than seasonal flu, but when it does spread, it tends to hit children the hardest. That’s the take-home message from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers who studied data from Texas households. About 9% of people overall came down with the flu after being exposed to a household member with the virus versus 18% of children under age five and 11% of children between the ages of five and eighteen. (Emerging Infectious Diseases).

CSI Bugs, Anyone?
A new technique developed by investigators from the University of Colorado at Boulder could be coming to a CSI lab near you. The test accurately identified 70-90% of the unique bacteria on people’s hands, suggesting it could be used to identify objected touched by people suspected of committing a crime.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Taking part in a course of pulmonary rehabilitation is likely to increase your ability to do things around the house and reduce the risk of admission to hospital or having a flare up of your disease.
The vast majority of people can safely take part in courses that take place in the community and there should be one in your area. Please discuss the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation with your doctor or nurse: then try it and see what it enables you to do. Medicare will cover a comprehensive program of pulmonary rehabilitation if you have moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and have a referral for pulmonary rehabilitation from the doctor treating your chronic respiratory disease. Courses include valuable input from a range of health professionals. And it can be fun!

There are 14 home safety issues in this picture: can you spot all of them?

1. Stairs without handrail
2. Deactivated fire alarm
3. Cloth on space heater
4. Overloaded outlets
5. Loose extension cords in traffic areas
6. Smoking. Cigarettes left unattended
7. No automatic shut-off on coffee maker
8. Open bottles of medicine
9. Outdated medications in cabinet
10. Loose rugs
11. Flip-flop slippers
12. Clutter on staircase
13. Newspapers too close to lamp
14. No deadbolt on door

Co-Morbidities of Sleep Apnea

2010-10-21T11:16:00.000-07:00

Graph courtesy of ResMed website showing the co-morbidities of sleep apnea by percent of patients showing both Sleep Apnea and a comorbidity.

Petersen Medical is committed to effective treatment in the home setting for our patients. We strive to find low cost in-home solutions for our patients. Due to the wide array of products we offer, and through the continuum of care we provide, we see first hand the effects of co-morbidities pertaining to obstructive sleep apnea.

Physicians have proven the negative effects of respiratory sleep disturbances on the health of patients. Studies show direct correlations between sleep apnea and diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

It has been proven that people suffering from both sleep apnea and diabetes are more resistant to insulin treatment if the sleep apnea is untreated. Many times by treating sleep apnea and providing the patient with restful sleep the need for insulin supplementation decreases. Insulin resistance decreases. According to studies cited by ResMed, "Insulin responsiveness increased 28% in patients with type 2 diabetes after 4 months of CPAP/BiPap therapy." It is critical to talk to your physician about any sleep problems.

As part of our in home service Petersen Medical provides Respiratory Therapy services to all of our sleep patients. We have found that by having a licensed therapist on staff we can more effectively treat patients for these co-morbidities. We work with doctors and care providers to bring awareness to any co-morbidities that might be present. Our therapists treat patients with OSA, CSA (Central Sleep Apnea), Complex Sleep Apnea, and congestive heart failure.

Petersen Medical provides a sleep therapy program that is monitored and progress assured. Our sleep compliance exceeds national averages. We offer Nocturnal Oximetry with a physician’s prescription. Petersen Medical can assist patients with insurance billing, and will help patients access their sleep study (Nocturnal Polysomnography) and obtain an rx for CPAP. We carry a full array of nasal pillows, nasal, and full face masks, as well as chin straps. We also carry Resmed, Respironics, and Fisher Paykel CPAPS and BiPaps. Please visit a local branch to speak with one of our sleep care professionals.

Jessie Crane

Respiratory Therapist

Petersen Medical

The Pulmonary Press

2010-10-19T15:03:00.000-07:00

MedGroup
October 2011

Oxygen Fire Safety

Oxygen does not explode, but it does support combustion. That means anything that would normally smolder or be difficult to ignite will burn easily when extra oxygen is available. Be careful around stoves, and never, ever smoke when using your oxygen.

What to do Before a Fire Occurs . . .

• Have you given thought to how you would get out of a burning apartment or home? Identify and determine the nearest emergency exit or exits within your home. It is important to always know the safest and quickest exit from any location you are in and it should always be based on your physical capabilities.

• Install heat or smoke detectors throughout your home. Key locations for smoke alarms are: the kitchen, basement, storage areas, trash areas, accessible attics, sleeping areas and hallways. Please note that there are various types of smoke alarms. Heat and smoke detectors can reduce the chance of dying in a home fire by approximately 60%. It is important to make sure your smoke alarms are functioning properly. Make sure all smoke alarms are kept cleaned and vacuumed regularly to remove dust particles. In addition to this, you should test the batteries monthly and replace batteries at least once a year to ensure that they are working properly. If you are unable to perform these tasks yourself, ask your friends, family members, building managers, or someone from the fire department to help you out.

• Learn how to use a fire extinguisher. For those who use wheelchairs, you might want to consider mounting a small personal extinguisher in an accessible place. This will be beneficial if you cannot “stop, drop, and roll” if your clothing catches on fire.

Asthma Diagnosis Often Overlooked in Older Adults

Asthma is a common and highly treatable condition in older adults, yet a recent study showed 39% received no treatment at all—compromising quality of life and risking hospitalization. It is often mistaken for illnesses like bronchitis and emphysema, exacerbated by medications like aspirin, and overlooked by patients and doctors alike. At least 40% of asthma sufferers are 40 or older at the time of their first asthma attack, despite the common belief that it is a young person’s disease.

“Don’t simply chalk up shortness of breath to aging” says Raymond Slavin, MD, allergist and professor of internal medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. “The good news is that once we identify asthma, it has an extremely effective treatment.”

One reason aging brings an increased risk of asthma is that our lungs, blood vessels, and connective tissue change structurally as we age, causing a drop in our lung function. And because of the misconception that adult-onset asthma is rare, it may be confused with bronchitis, emphysema, or sinusitis.

Medications also play a role. Beta blockers and ACE inhibitors, used to treat common illnesses in seniors, like heart attacks, hypertension, and congestive heart failure, can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Aspirin, which frequently is taken for arthritis, can trigger asthma.
Source: Pediatrics; August 2010 Respiratory Therapy Magazine

Medicare Corner

Medicare pays for oxygen for patients with chronically significant low levels of oxygen in their arterial blood (hypoxemia) associated with a chronic lung condition or disease that might be expected to improve with oxygen therapy. A sample of blood that is traveling from your lungs to the rest of your body is collected and measured for oxygen saturation levels. These tests will indicate whether there is the need for oxygen therapy.

Categories/Groups are based on the oxygen test results:

55≤ mmHg, or 88%≤ saturation

For these results you must return to your physician 12 months after the initial visit to continue therapy for lifetime or until the need is expected to end. Typically, you will not have to be retested when you return to your physician for the annual follow-up visit. However, your physician does need to make notes in your chart indicating he/she has seen you within 90 days of the anniversary from when oxygen was first prescribed, and that you need to continue using the oxygen.

56-59 mmHg, or 89% saturation

For these results, you must be retested within 3 months of the first test to continue therapy for lifetime or until the need is expected to end.

≥60 or ≥90% deemed “not medically necessary”.

Oxygen will be paid as a rental for the first 36 months. After that time if you still need the equipment, Medicare will no longer make rental payments to your homecare company for the equipment. Medicare will then pay only for maintenance of your equipment every 6 months and refilling your portable oxygen tanks. Medicare does not separately pay your homecare company for oxygen accessories such as regulators, tubing, masks and cannulas. After 5 years, the equipment has reached the end of its ‘reasonable lifetime’ and can be replaced, if you wish, by the homecare company. This starts the 36 month – 5 year cycle over again. If you elect NOT to have it replaced you must pay for any routine or emergency servicing of the equipment.

Best Exercise

When asked, which the best exercise is, James Skinner, PhD, director of the Exercise and Sport Research Institute at Arizona State University, says it’s the one a person enjoys.

Join Forces with Petersen Medical to Support Jonas and Maggie

2010-10-05T13:58:00.000-07:00

Thank Goodness for Social Networking!

Facebook posts by two friends brought some a very special family into our lives at Petersen Medical—the Coleman family. The posts discussed a recent news report they had seen on KSL. The story was about a family who has two children that have been diagnosed with a genetic disorder call Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Type 1. SMA Type 1 is the most severe form of the disease and is terminal; most afflicted by this disorder die by the age of 2. SMA results in the loss of nerves in the spinal cord and weakness of the muscles connected with those nerves.

Meet Maggie and Jonas

Jonas and Maggie

The condition of Jonas, age 2 1/2, is worsening and he now requires special equipment to keep him alive. Jonas' life support equipment include special strollers, braces, feeding tubes, and respiratory machines and is all part of the entourage wherever he goes. A simple cold could take his life, so it is with much care that they venture out of their home to expose him to the joys of the outdoors and to spend time and with his extended family and friends.

Maggie was born August 27, 2010. Soon, she will lose her strong perfect swallow. She will lose that firm tight grip when she holds my finger while eating. Her legs will stop kicking. Her perfect tummy will hold a gtube. Her strong lungs will struggle to take a breath. So many other things.

Aren't Friends Great?

Friends from the old neighborhood, an entire high school student body and a nonprofit organization have teamed up to give the family a hand. Between them, they've held a yard sale; they will host a carnival at Olympus High School this Saturday, Oct. 9, from 3-7:30 p.m.; and they've got a fundraising 5K walk in the works for Oct. 30.

It started when Kristi Matheson, a friend of Lindsey's mother, got her adult daughter, Kristen Larsen, interested in the Colemans' needs and plans ballooned from there.

They have decided to redefine SMA to mean "Spread Magic Around," said Larsen, who told her own neighbors about the family and then watched the urge to help ripple and grow. One of those neighbors, Tiffany Bliss, teaches at Olympus High. She talked to students and the principal and the carnival was born. It's being held in cooperation with Good in the Hood, a nonprofit that helps families with all sorts of challenges. It has experience, insurance and food handler permits, among other treasures, said Larsen.

They hope to raise awareness of the disease, which affects four of every 100,000 people; raise enough money so the Colemans can put a decent down payment on a larger house, since their tiny home barely accommodates Jonas' needs, much less Maggie's; and get a van outfitted so Jonas and Maggie can be safely transported.Long-time friends of the Coleman's are organizing a carnival on October 9th at Olympus High School in Holladay, Utah.

About The Carnival

SPREAD MAGIC AROUND--a Community Carnival Benefiting the Coleman Family

When: October 9th -- 3:00pm - 7:30pm

Where: Olympus High School (4055 South 2300 East, Holladay, UT

Prices: Children ages 3-12--$3

Adults--$5

Maximum per family -- $25

Events: Live Bands--Stratford Street Big Band and Auld Skool

Bounce Houses

Sporting Tournaments

Children's Activities

Silent Auction

3:30pm -- Reptile Show

4:30pm -- Magic Show

5:30pm -- Live Auction

All proceeds of the carnival will go to the Coleman family to help with the cost to care for these two children.

Petersen Medical Jumps on Board

The story is so touching. As word spread around the company, many of the employees committed to help the Coleman family in many different ways. And, the company is providing several pieces of medical equipment that the family desperately needs.

Employees are contributing items for the auction that will be held at the carnival on Saturday. Collection cans were set at the counter of each of the store locations and at corporate. Several employees have donated money. One employee at the St. George store told his mother about the Coleman's. She is working with her friends at her church to help raise money for this wonderful cause.

Petersen Medical also contacted some of their vendors. Bell Printing, Respironics, and others have also responded to the plea for help.

The Commitment Continues On Past the Carnival

At Petersen Medical, we started the service to help Whit, Lindsay, Jonas, and Maggie with their medical equipment needs. At the end of the day, I think the Coleman's helped us more than we helped them.

We will continue to help beyond the carnival in any ways that we can. We thank the Colemans for the opportunity to share in these memories. If you would be interested in helping the Coleman's or to get more information go to www.dogoodinthehood.com. 100% of the funds contributed go directly to the Coleman Family.

Deseret News, a Salt Lake City newspaper, published a story Oct 5th about the Coleman's and all the great support they have received.

Jean Landon
Petersen Medical
Marketing Coordinator

OVERLAP Opportunity

2010-09-30T14:06:00.000-07:00

Respiratory & Sleep Management
Volume 5 Number 7

September 2010

By Janis Rizzuto

Serving patients who need both PAP equipment and oxygen is a strong way to expand business. Are you doing enough to diagnose and treat this population?

The term “overlap syndrome” was coined in 1985 to describe patients who have both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea. Since then, it has been recognized that the co-existence of COPD and OSA is associated with increased morbidity.

Estimates of the incidence of overlap syndrome depend on how one looks at it. The clinical literature suggests that about 10 percent of OSA patients have some degree of COPD, and between 20 percent to 40 percent of COPD patients have some degree of sleep-disordered breathing, according to Ann Tisthammer, BS, RRT, vice president of clinical education and training at ResMed, San Diego.

Either way, respiratory therapists report that they encounter overlap patients in their work for HME businesses, and that the population benefits from using two technologies, positive airway pressure devices and oxygen equipment. Ricky Hubbard, CRT, respiratory manager at Zurcare LLC in Ridgeland, Miss., says this group of patients is unique. “They tend to be more compliant with their treatment because their condition is more involved than a typical CPAP patient,” he says. “They realize there could be more consequences if they are not compliant, and the consequences may be more severe than if they were just an OSA patient.” Zurcare has a program to monitor compliance with regular data downloads and some wireless technology.

However, Hubbard says that only about 5 percent of Zurcare’s patients have overlap syndrome. He says they typically start out receiving sleep therapy, and then oxygen is added when desaturation is discovered via an overnight oximetry study. Few patients come onboard with orders for PAP and oxygen equipment at the same time, he says.

For Zurcare and HME providers everywhere, a low census of overlap patients may mean that some cases haven’t yet been diagnosed. And that represents an opportunity for providers to help more patients and expand their businesses. What could be better than a group of patients motivated to use two therapies eligible for reimbursement?

Strategies to Identify Overlap Syndrome Business
Tisthammer says there are practical strategies so HME providers can better identify these folks. “Say you have 200 patients on oxygen service,” she says. “Are you looking out for those patients who are complaining of not sleeping well and morning headaches? They may have sleep-disordered breathing. Or say you have lots of CPAPs out there, but maybe some patients are still having problems with symptoms. Through overnight oximetry studies, you may find they are desaturating.”

Building stronger patient intake processes could speed up the path to diagnosis and treatment, Tisthammer says. “Create a program to screen oxygen patients by asking questions at the initial setup. Have them do a quick Berlin Questionnaire. Make it part of the educational process to inquire about their sleep, and you might uncover some patients who have sleep disorder signs and symptoms.”

This approach also works for CPAP patients, Tisthammer says. “How many CPAP patients do you ask, ‘Do you have a history of lung impairments, are you a cigarette smoker or what kind of work did you do in the past?’ It is important to know that a CPAP patient is a 30-year smoker, has episodes of bronchitis and is on respiratory inhalers p.r.n.”

Tisthammer says: “We need to get clinicians asking broader questions about the patient vs. just looking at the one particular thing they have to do, which may be an oxygen setup or a CPAP setup. Look a little broader, if you want to grow your business and provide the best therapy.” Cultivating the overlap market may take more of therapists’ time, which she knows may be a struggle for some.

Still, technology can be therapists’ ally in this effort. To measure saturation levels, oximetry modules are now available to attach to most PAP devices, and manufacturers are working toward building oximetry capabilities right in. And home sleep screening devices can be used on oxygen patients to see if a formal sleep study is warranted. “The challenge for therapists is that [trying to detect issues] might require them to do an overnight oximetry study or a sleep screen, but they don’t get reimbursed for that stuff,” Tisthammer says. “If they want to grow the business, they may have to do that for free.”

Petersen Medical in St. George, Utah, reports that about 10 percent to 15 percent of its patients have overlap syndrome. Jason Smith, CRT, RCP, regional manager, says many typically start out with the company as oxygen users who then get diagnosed with OSA. “These patients are a little easier to manage,” he says. “Since they are already on oxygen, they are used to having a therapy, so adding another one is easier for them than a person who is not on oxygen and needs a CPAP for the first time. Even the little things matter. Oxygen patients are used to having something on their face all day, so putting on a CPAP mask is not as great a jump.”

Justin Cowley, Petersen respiratory account manager, agrees that oxygen patients are often aware of sleep equipment. “Oxygen patients have been in the store and seen the masks on display,” he says. “They may have already thought about which one they would use. CPAP patients would not have considered that before going to the sleep lab.”

Speaking of sleep labs, Smith says that the ones in his market are top notch. “We have very savvy sleep labs in this area,” he says. “If you are not on top of managing your patients, they won’t do business with you.” That’s why all sleep equipment Petersen places with patients has wireless technology the company uses to monitor compliance easily by remote. “Each patient is monitored every night, and the sleep labs and our company both have access to the data,” Smith says. “We have a strong handle on what’s happening on a daily basis.” The company enjoyed a 75-percent compliance rate for the second quarter of 2010, according to Sherry Mildenberger, CRT, RCP, assistant manager.

Petersen Medical is getting creative when it comes to diagnosing apnea, working with primary care doctors to perform preliminary studies at no cost. “More than anything, we hear the statistic about 40 percent of potential apnea patients going undiagnosed,” Cowley says. “We want to serve the community and diagnose the problem effectively. The most reasonable thing to do is get oximetry tests out for as little cost as possible. And for those patients who show symptoms of co-morbidities or who don’t test positive with oximetry, we offer home sleep screeners.”

That’s just the approach Tisthammer recommends — taking initiative, partnering with other clinicians, and extending your impact for the betterment of patients’ lives and business. She concludes, “There are plenty of patients who need the combo therapy, and if you don’t have many of those, then are you really providing the best care?”

The Pulmonary Press

2010-09-20T13:30:00.000-07:00

MedGroup
Volume 2, Issue 1, September 2010

Prescription Errors

Electronic prescriptions significantly reduce medication errors according to a study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. Researchers compared the number and severity of prescription errors between 15 health care providers who adopted e-prescribing and 15 who continued to write prescriptions by hand. A review of the paper-based prescriptions and electronic prescriptions found that one year after adopting e-prescribing, the percentage of errors dropped from 42.5% to 6.6% for the providers using the electronic system. For those who continued to write prescriptions by hand, the percentage of errors increased slightly from 37.3% to 38.4%. Illegibility problems were completely eliminated by e-prescribing.

Do you use a Metered Dose Inhaler (‘puffer’)?

The FDA recently identified seven more inhaler medications (Tilade Inhaler, Alupent, Azmacort, Intal Inhaler, Aerobid Inhaler, Combivent, and Maxair) that will be phased out over the next three years. Other metered dose inhaler drugs have already been phased out and this new round begins shortly. These inhalers contain ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are propellants that move medication out of the inhaler and into the lungs of patients. Alternative medications that do not contain CFCs are available.

Important differences in the ‘feel’ associated with the new propellant gas (hydrofluoroalkane) may make you to think you aren’t getting the same full puff-dose as you did when the medication was pushed out by the CFC, but you are.

When does the Treatment Need To Be Ended?

Nebulizers produce a mist of the drug that is placed in the medication cup and then inhaled. The drug remaining in a Nebulizer after therapy ranges from 0.1 to 2 mL. Some patients tap the nebulizer cup and continue aerosol therapy past the point of sputtering in order to get the last few drops to mist. Some nebulizers will sputter for extended periods of time after the majority of the inhaled dose has been administered. Evidence suggests that after the onset of sputter, very little additional drug is inhaled. Because the time it takes to administer the drug is a critical factor for patient adherence to therapy, some clinicians have adopted recommendations to stop nebulizer therapy at, or one minute after, the onset of sputter. Newer nebulizers may use microprocessors to monitor how much dose has been administered and automatically turn off the nebulizer at the end of each dose.
(AARC “Guide to Aerosol Delivery Devices for Respiratory Therapists”)

Medicare Corner

The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 arbitrarily capped reimbursement for Medicare home oxygen at 36 months. The resulting regulations for home oxygen therapy from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have caused confusion, service disruption, and reduced access to care for many of the more than one million seniors in Medicare with COPD and other lung diseases who require home oxygen therapy. Moreover, the net effect of the Deficit Reduction Act and the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 has been a 27 percent cut in reimbursements for home oxygen therapy in 2009. In Medicare, home oxygen therapy costs less than $7 per day.

Currently home oxygen policies end reimbursements for oxygen services and equipment after 36 months. The new oxygen rules do not account for the required range of services and the realities of providing oxygen therapy to patients. These policies also do not recognize costs associated with unscheduled emergency visits.

Under the CMS rule, the original home oxygen provider must continue to provide, without any payment, for a two-year period following the reimbursement cap: unscheduled service and maintenance visits; 24 hour, 7 day a week emergency care; equipment repairs; and oxygen supplies and accessories.

Home oxygen providers offer far more than just equipment. They are also front-line caregivers. They educate patients on the proper use of their equipment, answer patients’ questions, make repairs and adjustments, and ensure that patients are receiving the prescribed amount of oxygen. These providers are one of the primary points of contact for many Medicare patients.

Real-Time Health Management Through Text Messaging

2010-08-31T14:07:00.000-07:00

When Dr. Jennifer Dyer, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Ohio State University, discovered that 2.5 billion text messages are sent each day in the US and that calling plans of roughly 75 percent of teens have unlimited text messaging, she decided to try to harness the power of text messaging for her teen diabetics.

According to an article in The Suncoast News, Dr. Dyer, who is also an endocrinologist at the Nationwide Children's Hospital, in Columbus, Ohio, conducted a study on the effects of weekly customized text messages to her teen diabetics.

Dyer found teens who received the text messages showed better adherence to medication schedules and other treatment guidelines and improved blood-sugar levels. "If adolescent diabetes patients do not adhere to their treatment and medication plan, it can result in difficulty concentrating in school or functioning throughout the day," said Dyer.

The messages Dyer sent to teen diabetes patients were a combination of personalized questions and reminders specific to diabetes adherence activities in addition to friendly, supportive messages.

"This form of communication allows for real-time health management which is extremely valuable for patients that suffer from a chronic illness like diabetes," said Dyer, a principal investigator in the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

What a great way to stay in touch with patients and take patient care to the next level. Using text messaging as an SOP (standard operating procedure) for real-time health management creates new BFFs (best friends forever) and allows the health care industry a new opportunity to reach out and touch someone!

Jean Landon

Marketing Coordinator

Petersen Medical

"Every Time There Is Change, There Is Opportunity"

2010-08-25T14:59:00.000-07:00

HMENews, page 8
August 2010

THE UTAH MEDICAL EQUIPMENT DEALERS ASSOCIATION (UTMED) held its annual conference in May at the Embassy Suites in Salt Lake City. One of the hot topics at the conference: competitive bidding. Panel speaker Rich McKeown, president and CEO of Leavitt Partners and chief of staff for former HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt, said of the program: "The train has left the station. I have no doubt that competitive bidding is here to stay. There will be some that will adapt and thrive in this new structure and some will just go away. Every time there is change, there is opportunity."

The Pulmonary Press

2010-08-12T12:31:00.000-07:00

MedGroup
Volume 1, Issue 1, August 2010

COPD Awareness Improves, But Work Still Needs To Be Done

Awareness of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is still low, but it’s improving. That’s the take-home message from a survey conducted in 2009 by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). According to the government agency, 68% of adults are now aware of COPD, up from 64% in 2008 and just 49% in 2004. Awareness among current smokers rose from 69% in 2008 to 74% in 2009.

Less than half of all adults, however — just 44% — understood that the COPD can be treated. Physicians maintained a more optimistic view, with approximately nine out of 10 primary care physicians agreeing that available treatments can optimize quality of life for their patients with COPD.

“Awareness is an important first step,” says James P. Kiley, PhD, director of the NHLBI Division of Lung Diseases. “However, awareness alone is not enough. People at risk of developing the disease need to know what the disease looks and feels like, and most importantly, to understand that it can be treated. The key is to get tested and start treatment as soon as possible.”

Cleaning Your Inhaler

To keep your inhaler working properly so that it delivers the same dose from when the inhaler is new until the canister is empty, the plastic holder should be cleaned weekly. This ensures that medicine does not build up and block the spray.

Do not try to clean the metal canister. Take the canister out of the holder; wash the holder through the top and mouthpiece with warm running water for 30 seconds. Shake off as much water from the holder as you can. Let it dry completely before you use it. Put the canister back in the holder and make sure it fits firmly.

Is There an Improved Cannula in Your future?

Inogen filed a provisional patent for new cannula technology that involves the use of special materials that are embedded within the PVC of the nasal cannula. As oxygen flows, it will change the color of the cannula which would indicate a specific flow rate. This new cannula is not yet available.

All About Inhaled Steroids

Doctors generally prescribe inhaled corticosteroids over oral (tablet or liquid) corticosteroids, because the inhaled medication is more targeted. In other words, when it’s inhaled, medication goes directly into the lungs where it’s needed. Unlike oral medicines, inhaled steroids do not have to pass through other parts of the body where they’re not needed, and as a result are less likely to cause unwanted side effects.

What are steroids? Some athletes misuse anabolic steroids to build muscle. Corticosteroids are the steroids used to treat asthma and COPD. Corticosteroids do not build muscle or enhance performance. Corticosteroids are hormones that your body naturally produces. When your doctor prescribes an inhaled corticosteroid, he is giving a very small amount of this same hormone to reduce the inflammation in the airways
.
The corticosteroids that are inhaled today are considered safe. This is because the medicine breathed in through an inhaler (sometimes called a “puffer”), goes directly into the lungs where it reduces inflammation in the airways. A steroid tablet that is swallowed has more side effects because a large amount goes into the blood stream and is carried to other parts of the body. Side effects from inhaled corticosteroids are minor when the proper amount is taken. A few people get a cough, hoarseness or husky voice, sore throat or thrush (a yeast infection).

Patients can protect against these discomforts by rinsing their mouth, gargling with water and spitting out, to remove any medicine left in the mouth.

Medicare Corner

Medicare part A is hospital insurance. Medicare part B helps cover doctors’ services, outpatient care including medical equipment / supplies used in the home. Costs for part B depends on whether you have Original Medicare or are in a Medicare health plan. After the deductible is met, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount of the service.

A new benefit for 2010 is Medicare coverage of a comprehensive program of pulmonary rehabilitation if you have moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and have a referral for pulmonary rehabilitation from the doctor treating your chronic respiratory disease. Medicare will also pay for up to 8 face-to-face visits in a 12-month period for Smoking Cessation if you are diagnosed with an illness caused or complicated by tobacco use. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies.

Stay on Your Feet

Want to avoid one of the most common injuries of older people – a hip fracture? Then stay on your feet. Persons who walk regularly have 3 to 6 times fewer hip fractures than those who don’t do much walking.

Petersen Medical — A Proud Sponsor of Camp Kostopulous

2010-07-13T16:10:00.000-07:00

Saturday, July 10th, 2010, was the first annual Wasatch Wheelchair Rally held at beautiful Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. This event was organized to raise funds for Camp Kostopulos' year-round adaptive recreation programs and activities for more than one thousand youth and adults with physical and mental disabilities.

Petersen Medical not only had the opportunity to participate as a sponsor for this great event, but also sent volunteers to answer mobility questions and inspect wheelchairs for spectators and race participants.

We even provided free water!

It was great to participate in the support of such a great cause. Several employees brought their children to help. What a great way to promote acceptance and understanding for people with special needs.

Jeff Griffin from the Neuorworx Wheelin' Jazz gave a great talk about TEAM — Together Everyone Achieves More.

It wasn't all work and no play. The National Guard provided a climbing wall for the kids. Face painting and snow cones topped off the fun.

The kids were in no hurry to leave the event!

The day was beautiful, the park was serene, and for a short time, we all came together as a TEAM.

For more information on the Wasatch Wheelchair Rally, check out the video and newsstory at KSL.COM

Petersen Medical Employees Cut 120 Bear Kits for the Utah Children's Justice Center.

2010-06-01T14:02:00.000-07:00

At Petersen Medical, one of our core values is “serving others first”. As part of that value and our commitment to serve the community, we have committed to participating in at least one service project each month.

For April, our service was focused on the Utah Children’s Justice Centers and the teddy bears provided to children who have been abused. The bears are donated by a volunteer group called the “Teddy Bear Ladies”

Utah’s Children’s Justice Centers provide a child-friendly atmosphere designed to help children feel safe and comfortable while they are being interviewed regarding alleged abuse.

Before the interviews by authorities, such as police officers and prosecuting attorneys, and examinations by doctors begin, the children, who have been physically or sexually abused, can select their own special bear to comfort them.

The Centers request over 50 bears a month from the “Teddy Bear Ladies” to provide to these children. The Teddy Bear Ladies is a group of volunteers headed by Ruth Stringham, age 91.

Eighteen years ago, Ruth was fighting cancer. Determined not to feel sorry for herself, she organized a group of friends from church to cut, sew, stuff, and decorate some bears for the Justice Centers. What started as a one-time, simple service project has now become a monthly commitment.

Ranging in ages and sewing ability, the Teddy Bear Ladies meet each month to stuff and decorate bears, which have been tenderly sewn in the weeks preceding by volunteer seamstresses. Oh, and by the way, not all of the Teddy Bear Ladies are female!

Though the work can be tedious at times, the group has committed to keep making bears — as one woman said — "as long as there are children."

One of my neighbors is a Teddy Bear Lady. She is one of the seamstresses who sews during the month. When she told me about the service project and some stories about the children, my heart was touched. And, I knew that Petersen Medical employees would jump at the chance to provide some help for this project.

Each bear takes about 4-5 hours to make. Cutting the twelve-piece pattern and sewing require the most time, so Petersen Medical offered to cut bear“kits” for the Teddy Bear Ladies. Each bear “kit” consisted of twelve different patterns pieces. The employee would pin the twelve pattern pieces on to a double-layered fabric of their choice, cut the pieces out, and separate the pattern pieces from the fabric. The fabric pieces would than be placed in a plastic baggie to be handed to the seamstresses to sew. Each kit will make one bear.

For this project, Petersen Medical set a goal to cut 100 bear “kits” for the Teddy Bear Ladies.

Petersen Medical has a total of 97 employees, which include part time personnel and drivers. We are comprised of a corporate office In Orem, Utah and five retail stores in Utah—Orem, Roy, Logan, Vernal, St George, and Blanding and one in Cortez, Colorado. The commitment was to cut one bear kit per employee.

While we knew some employees could not participate due to schedule constraints, we asked that others would pick up the slack and cut an extra one or two kits to compensate.

There was so much activity the two days designated for the project. It was difficult to keep track of all the employees who participated. Some took fabric home with them and cut their bear kits at night. Some cut kits at their desks; others were able to gather around our conference table to cut, chat and snack. While I don’t have an exact number of employees who participated, I know that over half our staff was able to participate.

We took boxes of donated fabric to the corporate from which to cut kits, but the six retail stores purchased their own fabric and supplies. The Orem retail store even purchased two big bags of stuffing to donate to this cause. And, even though we had boxes of donated fabric from which to cut kits, several employees still had fun purchasing their own fabric to cut .

Before the project began, I estimated that we should be able to cut around 75 kits for the Teddy Bear Ladies.
BOY, WAS I WRONG! We gave 120 kits to the Teddy Bear Ladies.

Funny thing about this service project—it started as a service to others; it ended as a great teambuilding opportunity for Petersen Medical employees. Many expressed how much fun they had chatting with one another while cutting fabric. It was fun to watch the camraderie grow.

We also have employees who want to continue to help the Children’s Justice Centers and Teddy Bear Ladies. Several plan to continue to cut bear kits for this great cause.

I believe that the children from the Children’s Justice Centers were not the only ones who got bear hugs from this service project.

Petersen Medical Employees Stock Anna's Treasures for Young Pregnant Women

2010-04-27T10:51:00.000-07:00

The Pregnancy Resource Center is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to helping those unprepared for pregnancy. They help young women learn about their pregnancy options and help them through difficult times. One of the services they provide is called Anna's Treasures. Anna's Treasures is their baby boutique filled with baby items to help those in need. Young mothers earn Mommy Dollars by attending parenting classes. These dollars can be spent in the baby boutique on items that they need. They carry maternity clothes, layettes, and infant and toddler clothes. Other items they offer include diapers, baby wipes, baby bottles, nursing needs, formula, baby furniture, new car seats and toys.

Through the generous donations by its employees, Petersen Medical was able to donate to this worthy cause. Throughout the first few month of the year, we collected a truckload of baby items ranging from diapers and clothes to toys and even a baby swing. Our contributions will be used to help women in crisis and their new babies.

"Pregnancy Resource Center has been enormously blessed by the generosity of Petersen Medical. Their staff donated so many wonderful items to our Mommy Store which helps expectant parents in our community. All of the diapers, blankets and toys we received enable us to provide tangible help to those who need it most." ~Shelley Ver Steeg, PRC Executive Director

Company Gives Back to Community in a Major Way as Thanks for 40 Years of Business

2009-04-28T13:11:00.000-07:00

PARKCITY.TV
SALT LAKE CITY, UT (April 28, 2009) — Petersen Medical— a company providing high-quality home medical equipment to Utahns and Coloradoans with in-home respiratory, mobility and medical equipment needs—celebrated its 40 years of business by conducting 40 acts of giving and service that reached throughout Utah, Colorado, nationally and even internationally. The celebration of service included community service, charitable contributions, community beautification, education and cultural contributions.

With six retail locations in Utah and Colorado and a corporate office, Petersen Medical was able to make a difference on a broad scale, with such acts of service as helping build a house for Habitat for Humanity, giving a Ronald McDonald House room a complete makeover, volunteering for the Special Olympics Indoor Games, providing Thanksgiving dinners and pies to select families, sending supplies with respiratory therapists volunteering in Africa, donating to flood victims and so much more.

“The 40 Days of Service was a positive and significant experience for all involved,” said Tamara Zappe, Petersen Medical’s director of administration. “We were able to live some of our core values to the fullest—to serve others first, improve lives, create friends and learn continuously—and, in turn, grow into the service-minded company we want to continue being for years and years to come. A number of our efforts will remain a constant throughout the communities where we served.”

Kevin Waterhouse was one recipient of Petersen Medical’s generosity. More than 11 years ago, Waterhouse was in a tragic accident a month and a half before graduating high school that paralyzed him from the chest down. Since then, he has worked hard at recovering and continually setting high goals for himself. One of his loftiest goals is training for the Winter Paralympics in the Triathlon competition, and, in order to compete, requires expensive training equipment. Petersen Medical provided Waterhouse with a state-of-the-art racing hand bike to help him reach his Olympic goals.

“Petersen Medical helped me get my start in competitive hand cycling,” said Kevin Waterhouse, Paralympic hopeful. “There was no way I could have afforded the racing hand bike and furthered my Olympic dreams without their help. And they didn’t give me just any bike, it is one of the best hand bikes on the market.”

Another project was teaming up with Angel’s Hands Foundation (AHF) to assist with their annual Christmas Party. AHF provides support and assistance to Utah families living with rare diseases and undiagnosed conditions. At the Christmas party, Petersen Medical set up a photo studio with lighting and backdrops to give each family a free 8x10 family portrait.

“Working with the Angel’s Hands Foundation was one of my favorite 40 Days of Service experiences,” said Josh Dunn, Petersen Medical project manager. “Many children who attended the event don’t go out in public due to their conditions or physical limitations, and seeing the joy and happiness they shared with their families at the party was inspiring for me. If I was facing a rare disease, I don’t know that I could be as energetic and uplifting as they all were. We provided pictures for them, but I feel like I benefited more from their example.

“I had just started working at Petersen Medical shortly before the 40 service projects began, and, as I became involved, I realized Petersen Medical isn’t a company striving to be a global force, but instead, a company of value. Rather than going to work to climb the ladder of success, the entire company has been focused on serving each other and the community.”

Additional examples from the 40 Days of Service include helping a 12-year-old boy who lost the use of his legs go trick or treating with his family by loaning him a power chair, planting 40 trees and working with Primary Childrens, Make a Wish Foundation, the Food & Care Coalition, the American Red Cross and more.

“Petersen Medical’s vision statement reads: From deep roots we will continue to grow, branch out, plant seeds of service and education, and be there throughout the changing seasons of our patients’ lives,” said Zappe. “With the 40 Days of Service, our vision is becoming a reality.”

To learn more about Petersen Medical’s 40 Days of Service and its ongoing community involvement, contact Tamara Zappe at 801.373.1010 or tamara@petersenmedical.com. Additional company information is also available at www.petersenmedical.com.

Petersen Medical — Built to Last

2008-05-01T14:55:00.000-07:00

HME Today Magazine
May 2008 — by Rich Smith

Retail sales and political advocacy are keys to surviving competitive bidding at Petersen Medical.

In 2001, when Tom Bradley acquired Utah-based HME provider Petersen Medical, the venerable company employed a staff of 20. Today, just 7 years later, it has a payroll bearing the names of 80.

This fourfold swelling of the ranks was in part a response to the rapid expansion of Petersen Medical's retail presence: in that short time, the organization went from one retail location to six. Significantly, at every store, emphasis was placed on the merchandising of not just big-ticket items, but also the mundane sundries, such as bandages and compression hosiery. "Many HME retail suppliers shy away from carrying the everyday smaller items because of the inventory issues involved," says Bradley, the company's president. "But often what brings customers into the store is those smaller items."

And, once they step foot inside, the opportunity exists to draw their attention to other items—in particular, the expensive stuff.

REFLECTION OF LOCAL DEMAND

Petersen Medical's list of retail best-sellers includes both small and large merchandise. Stores stock everything from respiratory, mobility, and lifts to compression therapy, knee braces, and bath safety items. Included in that mix are diagnostic instruments and aids for daily living.

Each Petersen Medical store is located in a rural area (one of the six is in neighboring Colorado). As such, products carried are matched to reflect the needs, desires, and expectations of local consumers.

That's not to suggest standardization is out the window. "A basic level of standardization of inventory and merchandising schemes is vital for us to achieve the economies of scale we require, along with the operational efficiencies that profitability demands," says Bradley.

Viewed from the outside, no two Petersen Medical stores look exactly alike. But common threads in most cases are high visibility and accessibility. "Success in retailing depends at least in part on having a store that's easy to find and easy to get to," says Bradley.

Another reason the stores vary in appearance is that all are different in size. The smallest, for instance, is about 1,500 square feet, while the largest is 5,000 square feet.

PERFECT TIMING

Now celebrating 40 years in business, Petersen Medical began life as a pharmacy. Less than a decade later, it stuck a toe in the waters of DME. The pharmacy registered enough success with the initial few home care items it carried that, in 1983, it decided to wade deeper, starting with respiratory. The move quickly resulted in Petersen Medical winning a contract to serve as the sole supplier of Medicaid oxygen throughout Utah—a contract it continues to hold thanks to always managing to submit the winning bid each time the contract was relet.

Bradley entered the picture around 1999, shortly after starting a medical supply company out of his home. Bradley's nascent business quickly developed a supporting-role relationship with Petersen Medical. About a year later, the opportunity for Bradley to purchase Petersen Medical presented itself, and he leaped on it. In retrospect, Bradley feels the acquisition couldn't have been timed better. "The market for home care really took off," he recalls.

Bradley decided to leverage the boom times by moving his retail operations into a bigger store at a more prominent location in Orem. He also used the move to peel away the administrative departments and resettle those in a corporate headquarters at a different location in town. Moreover, Bradley opened a second and third retail site elsewhere in the state—namely in the cities of St George and Vernal, respectively. Two more Utah stores, and the one in Colorado, were added in rapid succession. These are joined now by seven satellite offices from which respiratory and mobility products are delivered to homes.

COMPETITIVE EDGES

In most of the areas it serves, Petersen Medical is not the only game in town. That means the company must strive to differentiate itself from the competition. Some of that differentiation comes naturally. Among the biggest things Petersen Medical has going for it is name recognition. "We've been around for so long now that we're close to being a household name," says Bradley. "I'd have to say we're among the HMEs of longest standing in the entire state."

Competitive Bidding Conundrum

What can a bidder do to ensure that the competitive bidding implementation contractor (CBIC) will receive submitted financial data? Not a whole lot, according to Tom Bradley, president of Petersen Medical in Orem, Utah. "You can submit your data by certified mail, and that's about all," he says.

And, of course, the trouble with sending by certified mail is the only thing certified is the outer envelope—a slippery CBIC official could always claim the bidder's package was received with no financial data inside, and no one would be able to prove otherwise.

Bradley says he intends to participate in the process when Medicare competitive bidding extends to his market area, but would beforehand welcome assurances from the government that there will be no repeat of the CBIC snafu that has plagued round one. "The starting point would be for CMS and CBIC to simply acknowledge that things have not gone as well as they could," he says. "Up to this point, CMS has been very reluctant to admit that there have been problems with competitive bidding. If only they would publicly face up to the fact that there have been problems, then there won't be any reason not to work on offering solutions."

With experience as his guide, Bradley thinks it unlikely CMS or CBIC will issue a mea culpa, let alone roll up its proverbial shirt sleeves and set to work on fixing things so that bidder financial data will not again vanish. "They're probably not going to own up to anything and will instead just keep pushing ahead," he says.

Bradley remains convinced that the best possible remedy would be the scraping of Medicare competitive bidding. Legislatively, his hopes have been pinned on the passage of HR 1845, but the latest word to reach him with regard to that bill is it is slated to undergo a revamp, which could mean anything from streamlining and strengthening to defanging and gutting. "The only thing that I can say with certainty is that sensitive data submitted with bids need to be safeguarded," he allows. "Right now, the safeguards don't exist. It's hard to have confidence in a system where the most basic protections are lacking."

Longevity is usually associated with expertise, and Petersen Medical possesses that in abundance. The message to consumers, then, is that for help choosing home care products, the best bet will be to head to Petersen Medical.

However, Petersen Medical knows better than to rest on its laurels. That is why the company has assembled a team of sales representatives to pay calls on physician's offices and other referrers. "The team's job is to promote our products and services, especially in the respiratory and mobility categories," says Bradley. "During their visits, they also educate referrers about our retail establishments. The goal is to make sure referrers understand the products we carry."

Another key distinctive is the company's statewide reach. Says Bradley, "We're one of the few companies in Utah that can take care of patients anywhere in the state. Our mission statement declares that we're here to help people breathe easier. We mean that both in the figurative and literal sense."

SAFETY IN RETAIL

Speaking of breathing easier, that's exactly what many HME companies around the nation are not doing these days, thanks to news this past March revealing that the CBIC, in a spectacular bungle, had reportedly misplaced financial information submitted by providers in accompaniment of their national competitive bidding price tenders. Bradley finds this incident most unsettling, but hardly surprising. "Anybody who has dealt with CMS on a long-term basis has already encountered this sort of thing to one degree or another," he says. "It's not like CMS and its agents have never lost or misplaced important documents before. But, more than anything else, this is frustrating. I have friends in the industry who have been impacted by this and who will be hurt unless CMS makes things right."

At some point before long, Medicare competitive bidding will extend into Petersen Medical country. Bradley says he intends to join the bidding. His attitude, however, is one of if he wins some contracts, great, but if not, no worry. The reason for his nonchalance is contained within the Petersen Medical retail success story. Currently, his income from store sales dwarfs that generated by Medicare business, which stands at around 25% of total revenues.

And, if Bradley has anything to say about it, his stores' cash registers will ring all the more loudly and frequently from here on out, even if Medicare volume stays right where it is or retreats. "We recognized early on the safety that retail represents," he explains.

SAFETY IN NUMBERS

Bradley also recognized that there is safety in numbers, which is why he joined two prominent buying groups plus an industry trade association—and why he enthusiastically involved himself with their legislative-action groups. "I didn't like the direction CMS was heading with competitive bidding and other cost-savings measures," he shares. "It was obvious to me that every one of those initiatives was going to have so much negative impact on our patients and customers."

Bradley appreciated the way that senators and congressmen were willing to listen to him during his visits to the nation's capitol. Those encounters inspired him to organize fellow HME providers in Utah through formation of the group UTMED, an association he started with a little help from his friend Jay Broadbent, of showroom giant Alpine Home Medical (an HME Today cover profile in August 2006). "I'm committed to the fight on behalf of providers and patients; by working to protect our businesses, we're also working to protect Medicare patients," says Bradley, who serves as UTMED's president, and is on the NAIMES (National Association of Independent Medical Equipment Suppliers) board of directors.

Still, Bradley wishes he could do more—a desire born of the sense that not enough other home care providers have taken the time to lend a hand. "A lot of people in this industry continue to stubbornly sit on the sidelines," he says. "It's because of apathy, mainly. But the fact that there is any apathy at all is incomprehensible. My own company is strong enough to weather competitive bidding, and will come out even stronger on the other side of it. But there are a lot of small companies out there that will not survive the storm. And what boggles my mind is that so few of these companies have stepped up to the plate to fight for legislative relief. Either they don't understand or they don't care that by sitting out this fight they are helping ensure that they will be driven out of business."

Stopping the coming carnage, he contends, hinges on whether Medicare beneficiaries speak out and tell their representatives on Capitol Hill to quit the shenanigans. But the beneficiaries first need to be informed about what is transpiring, and that will require the involvement of HME providers large and small. "The companies have to pledge to take the message to the beneficiaries so that the beneficiaries can take it to Washington," Bradley asserts. "It's the beneficiaries who will be listened to, much more so than industry."

Tools and Tactics

   • Emphasize the so-called mundane items that can get customers in the door and spur sales of
   higher-priced products.
   • A basic level of standardization will achieve economies of scale and operational efficiencies.
   • Boost retail sales as a way to blunt the negative effects of Medicare over-reliance.
   • Take the competitive bidding message to beneficiaries so that beneficiaries can take it to
   Washington.

NAIMES Forms Board of Directors—Tom Bradley, President and CEO of Petersen Medical Named as One of the Board Members

2007-11-12T14:43:00.000-08:00

HomeCare Magazine
HALIFAX, Va. November 12, 2007 --The National Association of Independent Medical Equipment Suppliers, launched in April as a grassroots advocacy and support organization, announced its initial board of directors on Wednesday.

H. Wayne Sale, RCP, president of Health First in Richmond, Va., will serve as board chairman.
Others on the nine-member board include:

--Tim Good, RCP, president of Goodcare by CPCI in Logan, Ohio;
--Joan Cross, co-owner of C & C Homecare in Bradenton, Fla.;
--Bob Miller, Rph, president and CEO of New Jersey-based Bach's Home Health Care Supply, and president and pharmacist of Skylands Community Pharmacy, Hackettstown, N.J.;
--Jason Rogers, president of Care Medical, Athens, Ga., and president of the Georgia Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers;
--John Eberhart, RCP, president of Eberhart Home Health Care in Laguna Niguel, Calif.;
--Michael Flores, vice president/general manager of Huntleigh Home Medical, San Antonio;
--Tom Bradley, CEO and owner of Petersen Medical, Orem, Utah, and president of Utah Medical Equipment Dealers, that state's HME association; and
--Tom Coogan, vice president of Care Medical Equipment, Portland, Ore., and president of the Pacific Association for Medical Equipment Services.

According to a press release, NAIMES' new board will be charged with review and revision of its bylaws, refining a three-year strategic plan, developing positions on industry issues and the launch of the DMEHelp Political Action Committee next year.

Focused specifically on independent DME suppliers, the group is "on target" to reach 500 members by early 2008, the release said.

Wayne Stanfield, a DME owner who is also executive director of the Home Care Alliance of Virginia, a provider network, is the organization's president and CEO.

Bills Update: Industry Keeps Truckin'

2007-03-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

HMENews
By Liz Beaulieu Managing Editor — 03.05.2007

WASHINGTON - The HME industry expects Rep. John Tanner, D-Tenn., to re-introduce the Hobson-Tanner bill this week, possibly with two new provisions that would further soften the blow of national competitive bidding.

Rumor has it the bill may include an any-willing-provider provision, allowing any provider to supply HME if he agrees to do so at the competitive bidding price. Previous versions of the bill made that exemption only for small businesses.

The bill may also include a provision requiring CMS to study competitive bidding's affect on access and providers.

"(Rep. Tanner) continues to recognize the concern that competitive bidding creates in the beneficiary and provider communities," said Walt Gorski, vice president of government affairs for AAHomecare.

CMS plans to kick off competitive bidding this year.

The industry has continued to make progress with another bill, the Home Oxygen Patient Protection Act. H.R. 621, introduced Jan. 22 by Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., aims to repeal the 36-month cap on Medicare oxygen reimbursement.

The bill has 40 co-sponsors. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., plans to introduce a companion bill in the Senate in mid-March, Gorski said.

During Congress' February recess, industry stakeholders met with legislators to lobby for both bills. Tom Bradley, president of Petersen Medical in Orem, Utah, and president of the newly formed Utah Medical Equipment Dealers (UTMED), hosted Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, who agreed to co-sponsor H.R. 621 and review the Hobson-Tanner bill when it's introduced.

"We took him on a tour, and he asked great questions," Bradley said. "I was excited that he was even asking questions, let alone good ones. You could tell he was overwhelmed, in terms of what goes into the oxygen business. It seems much simpler than it is."

Additionally, representatives from the New England Medical Equipment Dealers (NEMED) met with Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt. Pride Mobility and MedStar Surgical in College Point, N.Y., met with Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. The group spoke with Rangel about the Hobson-Tanner and oxygen bills and raised $30,000 for the senator, said Wayne Grau, director of rehab industry affairs for Pride Mobility.

"(Rangel) understands our issues and wants to help," he said.

The big push for meetings will be from April 1-13, Congress' district work period, Grau said.

Petersen Medical Supports Community Through Local Charity

2007-01-30T14:33:00.000-08:00

Petersen Medical, a leading provider of home medical equipment and dedicated in-home professional service, today announced that it has donated over $1,700 to the Samaritan Outreach Network Project (SON Project) in an effort to support and give back to the community. The SON Project is a non-profit organization that aids both youth and adults in overcoming drug addiction.

"Since its inception the SON Project has strived to enrich and protect the lives of teenagers and adults throughout the community," said Dan Grinder, president of the SON Project. "By educating parents and at-risk youth we feel we can save individuals from the pain and devastation that drug and alcohol addiction can bring. Only through charitable donations made by caring community members can we help these individuals in need. We are extremely grateful to Petersen Medical for its generous donation and obvious concern for our community."

The SON Project helps people regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, culture, or financial status. Not only does the SON Project educate its participants on how to identify the warning signs of drug and alcohol abuse, but it specifically focuses its efforts on teaching its participants new skills. Those skills include both job and interpersonal skills enabling each participant to become a contributing community member with a decreased chance of relapse.

"The SON Project is an effective charitable organization that directly impacts the community around us," said Tom Bradley, president and CEO of Petersen Medical. "Drug education is vital for the safety of every community. Petersen Medical has supported and will continue to support organizations such as these that make a positive difference."

About Petersen

Petersen Medical's products and professional services are designed to help Utahans breathe easier--Providing home oxygen, mobility and independence for patients throughout the state and improving patient quality of life. The company's friendly and professional technicians provide installation and personal training to make patients more comfortable, more informed and in many cases more active. Our technicians and staff act as a liaison between patients and medical professionals, making sure patients have the appropriate equipment they need. Petersen Medical maintains the highest standards of service, keeping physicians and other clinical professionals informed of the latest medical equipment advances and ongoing patient statistics and feedback.

Price Reintroduces Bill to Repeal O2 Cap

2007-01-29T14:03:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON — January 29, 2007--Last Monday, Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., reintroduced the Home Oxygen Patient Protection Act.

The bill would repeal the Deficit Reduction Act's rental cap on Medicare home oxygen and restore ownership of equipment to providers.

H.R. 621, its official designation this time around, is a carbon copy of legislation introduced in the last congressional session by Price, a physician, and Michigan Rep. Joe Schwarz, also a physician. (See HomeCare Monday, June 5, 2006.)

Known as H.R. 5513, last year's bill picked up 84 cosponsors but was referred to committee with no action before the 109th Congress adjourned. Schwarz, an ear, nose and throat surgeon, had vowed to reintroduce the bill if it didn't pass, but he was defeated in Michigan's Republican primary.

A Senate companion bill, introduced last year by Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., had seven cosponsors at the session's end.

"Under the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Congress merely considered the economic issues of home oxygen therapy, and not the clinical aspects. This legislation to repeal this provision of the DRA is in the best interest of patients, the medical community and Medicare," said Price, minority whip in the House.

H.R. 621 would, in effect, repeal provisions in the DRA, which moved Medicare home oxygen from continuous rental to a rent-to-purchase model. The DRA caps oxygen rental at 36 months, and then requires that title to the equipment be transferred to the beneficiary.

The three-year counter for beneficiaries already using oxygen began Jan. 1, 2006.

But both patient and provider stakeholders, including the American Lung Association and the American Association for Homecare, have argued that the new policy could put patients in danger if they are responsible for upkeep and maintenance of their oxygen equipment--a service many companies currently provide as part of the rental fee.

A study conducted for AAHomecare last year determined that only 28 percent of the cost of providing home oxygen relates to equipment, while the bulk goes to services and overhead required as a part of providing the therapy. In June, Price presented the results of the study, conducted by research firm Morrison Informatics, at a briefing for Capitol Hill staffers.

"Home oxygen therapy provides an essential benefit to our seniors. Medical oxygen is complex and highly regulated, and requiring Medicare beneficiaries to own this equipment for their therapy raises numerous health and safety concerns," Price said. "Reintroducing this legislation allows us to make Medicare more efficient and ensure patients receive the highest quality of care in the safest manner."

According to AAHomecare President and CEO Tyler Wilson, "it is significant that we have this important marker in place now since the president's budget may propose additional cuts to the Medicare home oxygen benefit."

The industry must now drum up support for the measure, picking up enough cosponsors to garner attention in the House and get a new companion bill introduced in the Senate.

Provider Todd Tyson, president of Hi-Tech Healthcare, Norcross, Ga., said as soon as he learned Price had reintroduced the bill, he began contacting other members of the Georgia congressional delegation to sign up as cosponsors.

"All of us need to rally around Rep. Price and go after the representatives who supported the bill last year" to sign on again, Tyson said. With more Democrats in the House this session, he continued, "I'm pretty optimistic that it should be easier to get this bill through.

"Congressman Price has really stepped up to help [the industry]," Tyson said. "I could just kiss that man on the lips!"

Tom Bradley, President and CEO of Petersen Medical, Nominated President of UTMED

2007-01-17T13:51:00.000-08:00

New Medical Group Names Nominee for State President
Deseret News
Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2007
12:08 a.m. MST

Petersen Medical said Tuesday that its president and chief executive officer, Tom Bradley, has been nominated as president of a recently formed state association called Utah Medical Equipment Dealers.
Petersen Medical and Alpine Home Medical Equipment formed the association in late September in part to advance the home medical equipment industry through education and shared standards.

Petersen provides home medical equipment and in-home professional services.

Utah has more than 30 HME dealers. Currently, Bradley and UTMED are focusing on responding to rule modifications made by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and new legislation passed by Congress, including the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.

Petersen Medical and Alpine Home Medical Equipment Lead New Medical Association -- the Utah Medical Equipment Dealers

2007-01-16T13:23:00.000-08:00

Petersen Medical, a leading provider of home medical equipment and dedicated in-home professional service, today announced that Tom Bradley, president and CEO of Petersen Medical, has been nominated president of the recently formed state association Utah Medical Equipment Dealers (UTMED).

UTMED was created by Petersen Medical and Alpine Home Medical Equipment in late September to advocate the needs of patients and advance the home medical equipment (HME) industry through education and shared standards.

With more than 30 HME dealers in Utah, UTMED as a unified group will increase their ability to define, create and influence guidelines that will protect beneficiaries and advance the industry. Accordingly, Bradley and UTMED are currently focusing on responding to rule modifications made by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and new legislation passed by Congress, including the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.

One of CMS's many new rule modifications has reduced power wheelchair reimbursement rates by up to 30 percent in many cases. The new rules also include new qualification standards, making it harder for beneficiaries to qualify for a mobility device.

"According to a recent study done by the American Association for Homecare, more than 1,500 wheelchair suppliers will go out of business because of the new Medicare and Medicaid power mobility rule changes," said Jay Broadbent, owner of Alpine Home Medical and vice president of UTMED. "These policies will limit patient choice and increase out-of-pocket costs they can't afford on their fixed incomes."

CMS also made significant changes to its home oxygen benefit program. The new law dramatically alters the current patient-provider relationship, putting increased pressure and risk on patients. Under the new rent-to-purchase policy imposed by the law, beneficiaries will own the stationary or portable home oxygen equipment after 36 months. Oxygen is a prescription drug that must be carefully monitored, and under the new law patients will be responsible for the oxygen and oxygen therapy machines, including their required service and maintenance that is normally done by a trained professional.

"By forming UTMED, HME dealers in Utah will have a united front and will be a positive force for change in the industry and for the people we serve," said Bradley. "There are over one million Americans who suffer from respiratory illnesses that require oxygen therapy under Medicare, and with the new legislation many of those individuals will have inadequate care. UTMED is dedicated to influencing that legislation and implementing policies that will benefit those in serious need."

UTMED encourages homecare providers, patients, and their families to urge Congress to find out more about these new regulations. Please contact your local provider for more information on UTMED and www.VGM.com for the legislation they are opposing.

About Petersen

Petersen Medical's products and professional services are designed to help Utahans breathe easier -- enhancing home oxygen, mobility and independence for patients throughout the state (Orem, Heber, Vernal and St. George) and improving patient quality of life. The company's friendly and professional technicians provide installation and personal training to make patients more comfortable, more informed and in many cases more active. Our technicians and staff act as a liaison between patients and medical professionals, making sure patients have the appropriate equipment they need. Petersen Medical maintains the highest standards of service, keeping physicians and other clinical professionals informed of the latest medical equipment advances and ongoing patient statistics and feedback.

Petersen Medical Donates Equipment to CHOICE Humanitarian

2006-10-18T10:55:00.000-07:00

Publication: Business Wire
Date: Wednesday, October 18 2006

Medical Equipment Donated to Support Humanitarian Missions across the Globe

SALT LAKE CITY -- Petersen Medical, a leading provider of home medical equipment and dedicated in-home professional service, today announced a donation of medical equipment to CHOICE Humanitarian. CHOICE, an organization well known for creating systems of self-development whereby third-world villagers have the skills and resources to improve their own lives, will use the equipment to support missions to Kenya, Guatemala, Bolivia, Mexico, Vietnam and other countries in need.

"This is a very generous gift that Petersen Medical is making available to villages with medical needs," said Mitchell Wade, CEO of CHOICE Humanitarian. "Often located in rural and poor areas, it's very difficult for these villages to get access to this type of equipment. We are extremely grateful for the donation."

The donation will include wheelchairs, canes, walkers, medical education materials and dental equipment. Petersen Medical provides innovative technologies and processes that enhance respiratory health and mobility -- helping many patients maintain their independence longer and improve their quality of life.

"Petersen Medical has a deep respect for CHOICE Humanitarian's work," said Tom Bradley, CEO of Petersen Medical. "The organization works directly with rural, poor villages to make them completely self-sufficient. This donation will help CHOICE meet their mission needs. We are proud to contribute to such a noble cause."

About CHOICE Humanitarian

CHOICE Humanitarian ignites lasting change in places with no clean water, no schools, no way to earn money. By partnering with rural villages -- communities are able to build sustainable change and pull themselves out of poverty. Expeditions to Bolivia, Guatemala, Mexico, Nepal, Kenya and Vietnam leave throughout the year and have health care opportunities available in each. For more information, contact Emily Franson at efranson@choicehumanitarian.org.

About Petersen Medical

Since 1968, Petersen Medical has been providing high-quality home medical equipment and dedicated professional service to Utahans with in-home respiratory, mobility and medical equipment needs. With local offices across the state, Petersen Medical's friendly and professional staff is committed to timely service and hands-on training to help Utahans breathe easier. By providing innovative technologies and processes, Petersen Medical enhances respiratory health and mobility -- helping many patients maintain their independence longer; and keeping family members, care givers and medical professionals better informed of patient progress in order to improve patient quality of life. For more information on Petersen Medical, visit www.petersenmedical.com.

Rehabbing Rehabilitation - Getting Creative with Rehabilitation Approaches

2006-09-12T15:06:00.000-07:00

Article available online at: http://www.therapytimes.com/091206REHAB

The 2006 National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, September 17 - 23, is an observance to recognize the determination of more than 50 million Americans with disabilities. In observance of this special week, Therapy Times is featuring four inspirational case studies of creative therapy professionals improving rehabilitation techniques to help their patients overcome injuries or illnesses and live life to the fullest.

Physical Therapy - Overcoming Obstacles with a Dual Product Approach

Ten years, two children and half a dozen life-changing events later, Lisa Barkel is closer than ever to achieving her goal of walking again. Barkel was injured in a motor vehicle collision that left her a C-8 tetraplegic, ASIA A.

Barkel currently attends physical therapy three times a week, each session a lengthy three hours in which therapists help her regain strength below the level of injury utilizing the most current equipment and technology.

The most innovative tool Lisa Barkel uses is a combination of two products: a bilateral carbon fiber stance control knee ankle foot orthosis (KAFOs) fabricated at emBracing Designs, and a Second Step Gait Harness System. The two products work together to provide Barkel the opportunity to safely ambulate with a natural reciprocating gait pattern.

After Barkel's injury, she was told she would never walk - or even stand - again. But with resilience and the opportunity to use the gait harness system in conjunction with the bilateral KAFOs, she is proving her physicians and therapists wrong.

When Barkel initially started her specialized intense physical therapy program two years ago, she used the KAFOs and the gait harness system with the goals of pre-gait activities, such as weight bearing while standing to increase passive range of motion at all her bilateral L/E joints and to learn how to shift her weight while increasing her balance and proprioception.

Today, Barkel continues working on these goals; she has added reciprocal ambulation within the Second Step system with the assistance of the KAFOs. She is not currently unlocking her braces at the knee joints, but the KAFOs have the ability to be unlocked when Barkel employs the help of two therapists to actively assist her extremities through terminal knee extension.

Since her accident, Barkel has regained some movement and sensation below the level of her injury, with much return occurring since she started in the specialized spinal cord injury (SCI) program. But Barkel's goal is to continue her therapy on her off days and walk again. Therefore, her braces come home with her and the newly purchased Second Step gait harness system is used at home with her carbon fiber stance control braces.

Barkel currently requires physical assistance from her husband, who assists her with a sit to stand into the gait harness system. The braces are made from carbon fiber, the same material that makes racecars and airplanes lightweight and dynamic, reducing the force that Barkel has to move against to complete her pre-gait/gait training.

Recently, Barkel gained strength in both her quads thanks to the therapy, drive, personal determination and teamwork. The home therapy program includes: daily PROM/stretch of trunk/bilateral L/Es, neuromuscular electrical stimulation of all major muscle groups below the lesion level every other day, hand-cycling every other day and standing in the KAFOs and Second Step gait harness system to work on endurance, pre-gait and gait activities.

In addition, Barkel remains active by volunteering at her local chamber of commerce, hosting Pampered Chef parties - donating her proceeds to SCI programs - and keeping up with her two young boys' school and recreational lives.

Source: Second Step Inc. and Messer Orthopedics

Respiratory Therapy - Breathing Easier with a Customized Rehabilitation Program

One of the biggest challenges that Roger Campbell, MS, MFT-C, faces when dealing with patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is attitude and lack of education regarding their condition. Campbell, the cardiopulmonary program director for the Salt Lake City-based Mountain Land Rehabilitation (MLR), helps these patients realize that they can still have an active and full life.

In order to better serve their patients, MLR formed a partnership with Petersen Medical, a Salt Lake City-based company specializing in providing high-quality home medical equipment and dedicated professional service to patients with in-home respiratory needs. Petersen Medical uniquely screens its patients and then sends them to Campbell and the MLR team for their needed therapy. Although Petersen Medical receives no compensation for this service, it provides for the best-educated and most active patients with COPD.

"Patients often don't realize that rehabilitation is even an option," says Campbell. "This can lead to them becoming depressed and slowly slipping into an invalid state. Thus, education and attitude adjustment becomes a crucial step in the treatment process."

Such was the case with patient Louise Routh of Ivins, Utah. Routh began to realize that if she did not stop the progression of her disease, then she would soon become an invalid. She began working with Campbell and his team as they implemented a customized rehabilitation program for her. MLR uniquely focuses on personalized treatment programs using a combination of specialized equipment and one-on-one intervention to bring each patient to the highest level of function and performance possible.

Routh's rehabilitation started with an SF36 - a quality of life survey - and a functional capacity test, which allowed Campbell to know her current physical limitations. He then created a customized treatment program, which incorporated oxygen therapy, a tailored exercise program, wellness diet and copping skills and techniques to better manage her disease.

Oxygen Therapy

For Routh's customized oxygen therapy program, Campbell teamed up with Jason Smith, RRT, from Petersen Medical and they selected the Inogen One oxygen concentrator for Routh's therapy.
As a tank-free portable oxygen concentrator system, the Inogen One is designed to specifically help patients with limiting respiratory conditions breathe easier while enhancing their mobility and quality of life.

Previous oxygen devices fulfilled clinical requirements and therapeutic functions, but patients were limited in their ability to lead more active lifestyles. Conversely, the Inogen One system was designed to act as a stationary and a portable device, and also engineered to give patients an opportunity for a more spontaneous and active life at home.

Smith counseled Campbell on the best way to utilize the Inogen One for Routh. The new system performed quite effectively, allowing Routh to travel and perform daily tasks that were previously too difficult to complete.

"Studies show that patients suffering from COPD who use oxygen eight hours a day significantly increase their lifespan," says Campbell. "The Inogen One has allowed Louise to undergo her needed oxygen therapy while giving her the freedom to conduct her life the way she'd like to."

Exercise Program

While the damage done to Routh's lung tissue is irreversible, the customized exercise program was designed to improve other systems in the body to make up for her lung's lack of performance. She is now much more physically fit. The program drastically strengthened her diaphragm and cardiovascular system, which allows her to receive a better injection factor from her heart and the ability to utilize oxygen and overall energy much more efficiently.

Wellness Diet

Routh was issued a custom diet manual with an emphasis on whole body wellness. Often, COPD patients suffer from a lack of nutrition because gas caused by food results in abdominal swelling, thus affecting the diaphragm's ability to work correctly. She was encouraged to eat whole-wheat grains, vegetables and multi-vitamins. She was also instructed to avoid gas-producing foods such as broccoli, beans and apples and to avoid white bread and other processed foods. In addition, she was told to avoid foods with high sodium because of complications of edema in her ankles and the effect of high sodium on the heart.

A Better Life

Along with these regimented programs, Campbell and his team worked with Routh to implement coping strategies and techniques for more efficient management of her disease, as well as stress management and panic control. She has decreased her oxygen requirement a significant 1.5 liters a minute since beginning therapy while increasing her workload by three times. She has also decreased her sensitivity to shortness of breath and ratings of perceived exertion.

Routh is now able to participate in the activities she enjoyed before her disease. For example, despite concern expressed from her siblings, she just recently traveled to North Carolina to visit her aging mother. Her siblings' fears were put to ease when they saw the enormous progress she had made in managing her condition. Routh is an avid car enthusiast and collects Mustangs and T-Birds. She is now able to participate in car parades and shows, complete household chores and take an active role in her church.

Routh's therapy, through Campbell's expert guidance and Petersen Medical's innovative oxygen products, is helping her regain the enjoyment of her former life and giving her hope for a better future.

Source: Tom Bradley, CEO of Petersen Medical.

Speech Therapy - Finding a Voice through a Mind/Body Balance

Dinaste Allen, a 12-year-old female, presented with voice loss at the time of her initial evaluation. Allen had been battling with this voice loss for two years. Her mother, Denise Allen, reported that the onset of the voice loss coincided with three consecutive asthma attacks associated with harsh coughing.

Dinaste was treated with antibiotics for her voice condition by her family physician without improvement of her vocal symptoms. She was subsequently referred to an otolaryngologist who diagnosed muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) and was therefore referred to a speech-language pathologist for voice therapy.

Muscle tension dysphonia creates a hoarse voice quality and sometimes even voice loss due to an inappropriate posturing of the many muscles in the voice box responsible for voice production. There are 13 muscles in the voice box that all must work together in a relative balance for a voice to be normal.

Occasionally, these muscles can be strained to the point where they become imbalanced and do not pull properly, resulting in various levels of hoarseness. When individuals continue talking during these events, the inappropriate muscular patterns become confirmed and persistent hoarseness or voice loss results.

Voice therapy continued over a 1.5-year period of time without any noticeable improvement in Dinaste's voice quality. She was then referred to a psychiatrist without positive results. Concerned that her daughter would "never speak again," Denise began searching for alternative treatments. She was referred to Joseph C. Stemple, PhD, CCC-SLP, ASHAF, who had recently left a 30-year clinical speech pathology practice in Ohio to begin a teaching and research career in the College of Health Sciences at the Lexington-based University of Kentucky.

Denise contacted Stemple and explained her daughter's situation. Suspecting that the diagnosis of MTD was correct, Stemple asked that an otolaryngologist at the University of Kentucky department of Otolaryngology Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic evaluate Dinaste and confirm the diagnosis. When this was confirmed, a voice evaluation involving Dinaste, her mother, Stemple and Bridget E. Williams M.S., CCC-SLP, speech-language pathologist at the UK Communication Disorders Clinic, was conducted.

Dinaste presented for this evaluation with a severe breathy hoarseness. With great effort, she struggled to produce voice but was able to only speak in a harsh whisper. It was evident to Stemple and Williams that the inappropriate muscle patterns that Dinaste was using to produce voice had been well confirmed over the two-year period since the asthma attacks.

During the initial evaluation, she was educated as to how normal voice was produced, and perhaps more importantly, was reassured that the problem was not "all in your head." Many different vocal exercises were probed in an attempt to modify the inappropriate muscular patterns. Dinaste left that day with a different voice; not normal, but different. It was characterized by a high-pitched effortful phonation.

When dealing with MTD, the goal is to change or break the inappropriate muscular pattern. Therefore, the different voice was a step in the right direction to returning the voice to normal. Dinaste and her mother were assured that normal voice was, indeed, the goal.

Over the next two sessions, progress was slow, as the old muscle patterns remained difficult to modify. Stemple and Williams continued to try to change the patterns by modifying pitch, loudness and sound placement in the resonators as well as laryngeal massage techniques. All of these techniques were met with effortful phonation as the old patterns of muscle activation dominated.

It was determined that the muscle tension in the larynx and the base of the tongue needed to be modified before the normal voice patterns could emerge. Consequently, it was recommended that Dinaste follow a voice rest program for one week while Denise massaged the laryngeal area two times per day.

Upon her return, it was noted that while massaging her neck, Dinaste presented with a significant decrease in tension. To capitalize on this improvement, it was decided not to directly challenge the old voicing patterns, but rather to try a technique that would reintroduce voice without tension. This technique was to produce voice while inhaling, rather than exhaling. Normal voice production is accomplished by air from the lungs passing between the vocal cords and setting the cords into vibration.

For Dinaste, the inappropriate muscle tension was not permitting the air to flow out normally. The vocal cords are also able to vibrate if they are approximated while inhaling. Inhalation phonation significantly reduces the inappropriate tension of many of the muscles involved in phonation.
Initially, Dinaste found it difficult to posture her vocal cords to vibrate on inhalation of air. With practice, she was able to coordinate by following the steps: breath out, inhale and say "EEE" while inhaling.

By the end of the session she was able to expand her "breathing in" voice productions to other vowels, words and two word phrases with some pitch modifications without tension. Indeed, the inhalation voice quality was the most normal voice she had produced in two years. Home practice was given using inhalation phonation with all of the above as well as simple songs and nursery rhymes.
Upon her return to therapy the next week, Denise reported that Dinaste had produced some intermittent, spontaneous normal voice. She was able to produce inhalation phonation on many vowels for an average length of five seconds. It was then determined that it was time to reverse the inhalation phonation to exhalation or normal phonation. Initially, this reversal was a challenge, as the old pattern of tension tried to reassert itself. This was quickly modified with tactile feedback as Dinaste was asked to feel her neck with her hand during both inhalation and exhalation phonation. With this feedback, she was able to reduce the tension and more consistent normal phonation resulted.

She was then given home exercises involving inhaling and exhaling a series of words and short phrases. Dinaste returned in two weeks with a clear and confirmed normal voice. The final stage of therapy involved a series of exercises to confirm the appropriate voice patterns so that the occurrence of MTD would be less likely to ever occur again.

This was a difficult case because of the long time period that this child used the inappropriate muscle patterns. Many patients are seen with MTD of shorter duration and the patterns are often modified during one session through voice manipulation or manual massage.

Source: University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences

Occupational Therapy - Taking Baby Steps Toward Independence

Margi Williams, RN, staff nurse in the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Comprehensive Intensive Rehabilitation Unit (CIRU), works daily with children needing extensive physical and occupational therapy. In addition to her nursing duties, she's also spearheading a research study, funded by the Dudley L. Moore Nursing and Allied Health Research Fund and the Rehabilitation Nursing Foundation, where she designed and is testing a new infant Adaptive Crawlerâ„¢ device to help CIRU's infants suffering from spina bifida become independently mobile.

Williams says outpatients of the Myleodysplasia Clinic at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta are using the Adaptive Crawler in the home environment. "Several therapists have interacted with infants on the Adaptive Crawler and given feedback," she adds. "I know [occupational therapists (OTs)] working with infants on the Adaptive Crawler have used it as an opportunity to encourage play in the prone position, to encourage upper extremity weight bearing and extension and to encourage the infant to open (his or her) hand."

Williams' infant Adaptive Crawler device is being tested at CIRU, while Georgia Tech's Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA) is designing and making the device according to her specifications and modifications. So far, the infants that have been tested with the crawler have experienced dramatic results. The most noticeable benefits include an increase in upper body strength and dexterity, and an increased interest in interaction with family, including pets, and their environment.
One of those patients experiencing dramatic results is Amarion, a little boy with thoracic level spina bifida.
He started on the Adaptive Crawlerâ„¢ at the age of seven months. "On the first day, he was able to move it forward and backward," says Williams. By eight months, the infant could travel across a room - taking 15-20 minutes to do so. Lisa, Amarion's mother, would sit at one end of the room and call to him and he would go to her.

She would also put him on the Adaptive Crawler while she was working in the kitchen. "She figured that if he wanted her, he would figure out how to get to her, and he did," says Williams. "By 10 months, he could rock back and forth with the Adaptive Crawler, similar to a typical infant who rocks back and forth prior to crawling onset."

He also liked to hear the sound the Adaptive Crawler made when he backed into a wall. It's a good thing the Adaptive Crawler was longer than he was, because he would repeat the motion over and over to feel the bump and hear the sound. "[The length] was on purpose to protect his sensory impaired lower extremities," says Williams.
By 12 months, in addition to the previous skills (lifting head and neck, going forward, going backward, going to the left, going to the right, rocking back and forth, moving forward the length of his body and moving across a room), he was also able to pivot in circles and, if he was stuck against an obstruction, such as a corner, he was able to back up and change his direction.

According to Lisa, prior to the Adaptive Crawler, Amarion would lie in one spot and just cry. But, that changed with the Adaptive Crawler. Because the device promotes the feeling of weight bearing in the upper extremities by putting weight on the hands and facilitates neck extension, Lisa noted increased upper body strength.

She also noted the increased independence. "Previously, she had to constantly entertain Amarion," says Williams. "With the Adaptive Crawler, she could put him on it and get other things done as he entertained himself."

This is important for developing physically and mentally, especially in social settings. Lisa cares for another infant, who crawls and is just a few months younger. With Amarion on the Adaptive Crawler, and the other crawling, they play together like two typical babies. Wherever she crawls, he follows on the Adaptive Crawler, says Williams. Even more impressive, when she pushes him on the crawler, he puts his arms down when he doesn't want to move.

Williams notes that this improved upper body strength will be useful, when the infant is older, for performing transfers and using a wheelchair.

"With the Adaptive Crawler, infants experience vestibular, proprioceptive and tactile input. They learn what stimuli are coming from within their body and what stimuli are coming from an external source," says Williams. This device helps an infant accommodate to a prone position and to have hands flat on the floor while lower extremities are in extension. On the Adaptive Crawler, infants reach out for toys in a prone position and perform weight shifting, which is a precursor to commando crawling. "Being prone on the Adaptive Crawler is a great position for play and interaction with other infants," says Williams. "They can move around independently without pinching their fingers."

Williams says the Adaptive Crawler will revolutionize OT techniques in the future, especially those who often used scooter boards in therapy. But what is new about the Adaptive Crawler is that it is sized smaller for an infant, yet it is longer to protect the sensory impaired lower extremities.

"A goal of OT is to build dynamic movement and ability on stability," says Williams. "So, as a child develops strength in the shoulder from movement on the Adaptive Crawler, the child's overall ability is enhanced to play, reach out and manipulate tools such as a cup or spoon, which leads to other skills (both functional and ADL) such as writing."

According to Williams, the Adaptive Crawler will be marketed to younger children, infants, with limited movement choices. It allows a child to use his or her upper extremities, create mobility supports and strengthen the whole upper extremity complex while enhancing exploration and play skills.

While the product was primarily tested on children with spina bifida, as they tend to have upper extremity weakness and lack of dexterity, the Adaptive Crawler may also be useful for infants with hypotonic disorders such as hypotonic cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.

Getting In Step

2006-08-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

Petersen Medical employees participate in local 5K asthma walk to reach out to patients, referrals
By Theresa Flaherty, HMENews Associate Editor - 08.2006

Petersen Medical employees hit the pavement alongside asthma sufferers in June as part of the Salt Lake Asthma Walk and 5K.

It was a good way to get out and meet asthma patients and their families, as well as referral sources, said Petersen CEO Tom Bradley.

"We serve many patients who suffer from asthma, so we feel it is important to support the fundraising effort for treatment and finding a cure," said Bradley. "The mission of our company is to help people breathe easier."

This is the first year the 38-year-old oxygen and HME provider has sponsored the American Lung Association event.

Sponsoring an event is a great way to gain local visibility and strengthen referral relationships, said Joe Groden, president of Rochester, N.Y.-based JG Consulting.

"It gives a little publicity, and gives employees who participate a bit of teamwork," said Groden. "And then you're being viewed as providing a service."

Bradley said the company participated in Katrina relief and works with patient support group Better Breather's Club, sponsoring events and making their patients aware of the club's benefits.

Jack Evans, president of Global Media Marketing in Malibu, Calif., said some of the best partnering he's seen is between providers and support groups.

"It lends more credibility than just placing ads in the newspaper," said Evans. "It says, 'Yes, we are healthcare professionals and we work with related nonprofits.'"

Working with respiratory-focused groups is a natural fit for Peterson, which has more than 2,500 oxygen patients. The company is the sole provider of oxygen for Utah Medicaid, a three-year contract it has won since the program's inception in 1983.

"The (monthly) reimbursement is $114.50 for the concentrator plus four tanks," said Bradley. "It's challenging, but it's forced us to operate more efficiently. The state has required us in the past to visit all of our patients every 30 days. Some customers are more needy, but we try to provide the service they require."

Bradley said Peterson is looking to grow other areas of the business in the event that it won't always have that contract. An e-commerce site should be launched this summer to grow cash sales, he said.

Petersen Medical Partners with the American Lung Association in Support of the Salt Lake Asthma Walk and 5K

2006-06-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

Salt Lake City, UT– June 16, 2006 – Petersen Medical, a leading provider of home medical equipment and dedicated in-home professional service, today announced its financial support of this year’s Salt Lake Asthma Walk and 5K, With this sponsorship, Petersen Medical joins with the Utah chapter of the American Lung Association in support of this year's event-beginning June 17, 2006 in Sugarhouse Park at 9:00 am-to help more than 60,000 Utah residents who suffer from Asthma.

"We are very enthusiastic about the participation of Petersen Medical as one of our main sponsors for the Asthma Walk," said Hailey Watanabe, Development Director for the American Lung Association of Utah. "It's a great partnership as Petersen Medical's mission aligns with our own—improving the quality of life for the people of Utah that struggle with lung-related diseases. We're grateful for Petersen’s support."

With local offices across the state, Petersen Medical has been providing high-quality home medical equipment and dedicated professional service to Utahans with in-home respiratory, mobility and medical equipment needs for 38 years. With a focus on helping Utah patients and family members struggling with respiratory health, Petersen Medical supports events, like the Asthma Walk, and provides innovative technologies and processes to enhance the quality of life for those struggling with respiratory health issues.

"Petersen Medical is a strong supporter of the American Lung Association's mission to improve the quality of life for the people of Utah and all those who struggle with lung disease across the nation," said Tom Bradley, CEO, Petersen Medical. "The mission of our company is to help people breathe easier, so showing our support for the American Lung Association by supporting the Utah Asthma Walk was an easy decision."

This year's event will celebrate the fourth year that the American Lung Association of Utah, a not-for-profit organization focused on the prevention of lung disease and the promotion of lung health, has held the Asthma Walk. The walk is designed to raise awareness and support for Asthma, a chronic lung disease that affects over 24 million Americans. Registration and pledge check-ins for the Asthma Walk will begin at 8:00 a.m., followed by pre-walk entertainment and warm-ups at 8:30 a.m. Official start time for the Asthma Walk will begin at 9:00 a.m. For more information on the Asthma Walk, call 1-800-LUNGUSA.

Unit Lets Residents Breathe Easier

2006-05-16T11:31:00.000-07:00

The Spectrum–St George, UT– May 16, 2006 – By Rachel Tueller

Until recently, a simple trip to Colorado was a complicated event for John Clark and his wife, Janice. Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease required John to carry numerous bottles of oxygen when traveling while relying on a large stationary concentrator for in-home use.

But a new lightweight, portable oxygen concentrator system, Inogen One, changed things for Clark.
"It's made his life a whole lot easier. He doesn't have to carry bottles or anything," said Janice Clark. "It goes where he goes. He wheels it out to the car and he doesn't have to have a big concentrator."

The unit, weighing in at approximately 20 pounds and a height of 10 inches, is comparable in size to today's current mobile tanks, but satisfies both a stationary need for oxygen in the home as well as mobility, combining the services of two different systems in one.

Individuals can take the unit with them or step away from the base unite, still connected through as much as 100 feet of tubing, a switch from the traditional in-home stationary concentrators weighing up to 50 pounds.

The system delivers oxygen on a pulse system. When the patient inhales, the device is triggered and administers a measured dose — five liters — of oxygen.

Use of the system is highly dependent on the severity of lung disease so approximately 20 percent of all patients, who require a greater dose of oxygen or a continuous flow as the traditional concentrators offer, might not qualify for system use.

But those who do will enjoy an increased quality of life and greater mobility.

"It provides the patient with much more mobile freedom than some of they typical systems out right now. If you have electricity you have oxygen," said Roger Campbell, cardio-pulmonary services director with Mountain Land Rehabilitation at Red Cliffs Regional Rehabilitation Center.

The biggest advantage to the Inogen system is extended travel, said Petersen Medical CEO Tom Bradley.

"Most traditional units require patients to stay within four to eight hours of home to refill. It's battery powered and can recharge with any outlet or cigarette lighter (outlet)," said Bradley.

The FAA-approved unit is also flight friendly.

"People can jump on the airplane with it without any hassles — it's a green light," said Campbell.

"It makes me breathe a lot easier," said John Clark. "I have oxygen any time I want. It's the best thing I ever had and the company is really good about taking care of it."

Oxygen on the Go, Anywhere You Go

2006-05-08T09:13:00.000-07:00

Salt Lake City, UT– May 8, 2006 - Ed Yeates Reporting

Oxygen on the go, no matter where you go. For people with congestive heart failure or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a new small portable machine is about all they need anymore to help them breathe.

Read the full article and see the video at KSL.com.

Petersen Medical Introduces Next-Generation Oxygen Concentrator

2006-04-26T14:39:00.000-07:00

Salt Lake City, UT– April. 26, 2006 –Petersen Medical, a leading provider of home medical equipment and dedicated in-home professional service, today announced that the company will be the first provider of the Inogen One system for the state of Utah. The new lightweight product is the industry’s leading tank-free portable oxygen concentrator system. The Inogen One is designed to specifically help patients with limiting respiratory conditions breathe easier while enhancing their mobility and quality of life.
“The Inogen has improved my life enormously,” said Robert Kelly, an oxygen therapy patient who uses the Inogen One system. “It allows me to travel, visit my family more frequently, and do other activities that I’ve always enjoyed but until recent were too difficult to do.”

Named Frost & Sullivan’s Oxygen Concentrator Product of the Year, the Inogen One system defines a new category of oxygen devices. Prior to the Inogen One, the oxygen therapy market was limited in applying technological innovation to improve in-home respiratory patient care. Previous oxygen devices fulfilled clinical requirements and therapeutic functions, but patients were limited in their ability to lead more active lifestyles. Taking that into consideration, the Inogen One system was designed to act as a stationary and a portable device, and also engineered to give patients an opportunity for a more spontaneous and active life both at home, while traveling, or just performing menial tasks that were previously too difficult to complete.

“Petersen Medical is pleased to be the first provider of the Inogen One system for the state of Utah. The new Inogen system is a complete departure from current mainstream technologies of the past and redefines how oxygen therapy is delivered,” said Tom Bradley, CEO of Petersen Medical. “For qualifying patients, it replaces the large and inconvenient stationary concentrator systems and the less efficient portable devices that rely on oxygen tank replacements. Designed in conjunction with experts in PSA and conserver technology, the Inogen One system eliminates the need to choose between a stationary or portable oxygen system, giving patients much more freedom to conduct their lives the way they’d like to.”

The Inogen One’s ambulatory features have become very popular with patients and medical industry professionals. One particularly unique feature is the product’s Satellite Conserver, which extends the patient’s range by allowing oxygen to be delivered up to 100 feet from the device. The Satellite Conserver takes control of the conserving function, eliminating the need for the patient to remain close to the concentrator. This allows them to be mobile in their home without carrying the device from room to room. For example, the patient can leave the device at a central location within their home and still perform tasks in various rooms while still receiving an adequate supply of oxygen.

For providers, the system enables improved patient satisfaction. The Baby Boomer generation demands high quality in everything they purchase, and this generation is beginning to require more oxygen-related products. In addition, changes in government reimbursement policies, increasing operating costs, aging equipment, all add to the complexity of the oxygen provider's business. In an increasingly competitive marketplace due to rising heath care costs and the changing healthcare climate, the Inogen One system gives providers a product they can count on.

Petersen Medical is the first provider of the Inogen One system for the state of Utah, due to their partnership with EVO, the exclusive distributor of the Inogen nationwide. Inogen, a leading producer of oxygen therapy products, is the manufacture of the Inogen One system.

About Inogen
Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Inogen was founded in 2001 to develop products that improve quality of life while increasing freedom and mobility for respiratory disease sufferers, primarily sufferers of COPD. Inogen has assembled a team of experienced healthcare entrepreneurs, skilled technologists, well-known clinicians and home healthcare veterans to produce innovative solutions to respiratory healthcare challenges. The Inogen team is passionate about their mission and committed to serving the unique needs of respiratory patients and providers. To learn more about Inogen, please visit www.inogen.net.