The contributions of the Trilogy team will continue to elevate our benefits offerings throughout Pennsylvania and the surrounding region.

DEERFIELD, Ill. (PRWEB)
March 18, 2020

Alera Group, a national employee benefits, property and casualty, retirement services and wealth management firm, announced today that it has acquired Trilogy Group Benefits, LLC (Trilogy), effective February 28, 2020.

Trilogy was founded in 2009 as a full-service corporate benefits firm. Since its founding, the firm has developed into an agency that specializes in group healthcare, dental and vision, as well as ancillary benefits. Trilogy serves hundreds of clients throughout Pennsylvania, providing customized benefit strategies with professionalism and expertise.

“Trilogy Benefits is a fantastic firm, and we are excited to have them join Alera Group,” said Alan Levitz, CEO of Alera Group. “The contributions of the Trilogy team will continue to elevate our benefits offerings throughout Pennsylvania and the surrounding region.”

“As part of Alera Group, we will be able to offer our clients more resources and tools than ever before,” said Michael Alfonso, President of Trilogy Group Benefits. “We look forward to collaborating with other Alera Group firms as we continue to serve our clients with excellence.”

Trilogy joins Alera Group through local firm AIA, Alera Group. The Trilogy team will continue serving clients in their current roles. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Alera Group

Based in Deerfield, IL, Alera Group’s over 1,800 employees serve thousands of clients nationally in employee benefits, property and casualty, retirement services and wealth management. Alera Group is the 15th largest privately held firm in the country. For more information, visit http://www.aleragroup.com or follow Alera Group on Twitter: @AleraGroupUS.

M&A Contact

Rob Lieblein, Chief Development Officer

Email: rob.lieblein@aleragroup.com

Phone: 717-329-2451

Share article on social media or email:

RCare Rapid Deployment Nurse Call Kit

“The overall risk from this virus is still unknown, but what we do know is that many hospitals and providers are being overwhelmed with patients,” said Myron Kowal, CEO of RCare. “We decided to quickly extend our technology capabilities to places where they are in dire need.”

WEBSTER, N.Y. (PRWEB)
March 17, 2020

RCare, Inc., maker of nurse call and monitoring solutions, announced today the release of their Rapid Deployment Wireless Nurse Call Kit created specifically for emergency situations. Designed for speed and ease-of-use, RCare’s Rapid Deployment Kit installs in only five minutes and offers a reliable, secure, 40-patient nurse call system in a box. RCare’s G4 platform provides best-in-class range to cover even the largest of campuses and deepen building penetration.

“The overall risk from this virus is still unknown, but what we do know is that many hospitals and providers are being overwhelmed with patients,” said Myron Kowal, CEO of RCare. “We decided to quickly extend our technology capabilities to places where they are in dire need.”

The plug-and-play system is preprogrammed by RCare’s expert technicians and ready for use immediately out of the box. It includes one small touchscreen server, one pendant for each resident or patient (up to 40), and four pagers. (Expansion kits are available.) Only one internet connection is required, and no landlines are necessary.

RCare Rapid Deployment Kit Includes:

• NurseCall Master with Integrated Touchscreen Console
• 40 Pushbutton Pendants (waterproof; reusable if disinfected or disposable)
• 40 Clip-On Bed Signs
• 4 Alpha-Numeric Apollo Pagers
• G4 Master Receiver
• 2 G4 Locators
• Single-Input Serial Page Encoder 5W
• Compact, Heavy Duty Pelican Case
• Easy step-by-step instructions and link to instructive video

The touchscreen console displays incoming patient calls with an audible tone. Patient beds are outfitted with clip-on placards that correspond to patient call buttons, so caregivers know which patients are calling. The system can be deployed in only five minutes.

ABOUT RCare

RCare is a global provider of nurse call and personal emergency response systems for the entire spectrum of eldercare and senior living. Our components integrate into a variety of healthcare communication systems to create efficient and verifiable responses to medical emergencies. RCare works together with distribution partners to build individualized, flexible and seamless systems to enhance both caregiving and resident quality of life. Contact info@rcareinc.com or call 585-671-4144.

Share article on social media or email:

“Based on these results, nasal spray epinephrine has the potential to be a needle-free alternative to intramuscular epinephrine and could help to alleviate some of those delays in treatment.” – Richard F. Lockey, MD, FAAAAI

MILWAUKEE (PRWEB)
March 17, 2020

According to data originally scheduled to be presented at the 2020 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) before its cancellation due to the situation with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), epinephrine nasal spray could be an effective needle-free alternative for treating anaphylaxis.

“There’s a stigma associated with needles, and fears over administrating epinephrine to oneself or someone else can cause delays in medication administration. These delays can lead to emergency situations that can put the patient in real danger,” said Richard F. Lockey, MD, FAAAAI, one of the authors of the three studies presented across two abstracts that are now published in an online supplement to The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. “Based on these results, nasal spray epinephrine has the potential to be a needle-free alternative to intramuscular epinephrine and could help to alleviate some of those delays in treatment.”

The first study (EPI 04), titled Comparison of the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Epinephrine After Intranasal (IN), Intramuscular (IM) and Subcutaneous (SC) Administration in Three Landmark Studies, evaluated three dosing methods to assess the pharmacokinetics of epinephrine in 36 subjects. A 1 mg dose of epinephrine nasal spray, a 0.3 mg and 0.5 mg dose given by intramuscular injection, and a subcutaneous administration were studied. The study also tested epinephrine nasal spray in patients with induced allergic rhinitis, alongside the previously mentioned doses. Epinephrine nasal spray demonstrated a bioequivalent exposure to a 0.3 mg intramuscular dose that was given once by a needle and syringe. It was also more rapidly absorbed than administration by needle and syringe. The hemodynamic response (a greater or more rapid increase in systolic blood pressure and heartrate) saw significant improvements with the epinephrine nasal spray.

A second study (EPI 03), A Phase 1, Five-Period, Five-Treatment, Randomized Crossover Study of the Pharmacokinetics (PK) and Pharmacodynamics (PD) of Epinephrine After Administration of Intranasal ARS-1 and Intramuscular Epinephrine to Healthy Volunteers, presented a closer look at specific numbers. In this study, 70 healthy adults were randomized in a cross-over design to receive different combinations of epinephrine doses and dosing methods.

Subjects received 1 mg of intranasal epinephrine once or twice, 0.3 mg of intramuscular once or twice, or 0.5 mg of intramuscular once. Hemodynamic measurements were taken and extensive pharmacokinetic sampling occurred. Epinephrine nasal spray was again found to be bioequivalent to intramuscular dosing. Based on the amount of time it took the medication to reach maximum concentration, the epinephrine nasal spray absorption rate was faster than intramuscular injections (20 minutes versus 45 minutes). The epinephrine nasal spray had a higher peak of epinephrine concentration compared to the 0.3 mg dose, but 16% lower compared to 0.5 mg doses. Overall, the epinephrine nasal spray delivered a more consistent exposure and hemodynamic response within the first 20 minutes.

A third study (EPI 07), A Phase 1, Five-Period, Five-Treatment, Randomized Crossover Study of the Pharmacokinetics of Epinephrine After Administration of Intransal ARS-1 or EpiPen to Healthy Volunteers, included administration of a single and repeat (twice) dose of 1 mg epinephrine nasal spray compared to single and repeat 0.3mg EpiPen injection in 36 subjects, with blood pressure and heartrate measurements taken every five minutes. Epinephrine nasal spray was again found to have bioequivalent exposure with comparable peak concentrations compared to intramuscular dosing by 0.3 mg EpiPen. The epinephrine nasal spray absorption rate was also faster than EpiPen injections.

These studies also took note of any adverse events that occurred due to the nasal administration of epinephrine. Overall it was well-tolerated with mostly mild adverse events and no significant nasal pain or irritation.

“Epinephrine nasal spray has shown promise in these completed studies,” Dr. Lockey added. “With a lack of serious adverse events, comparable rates of absorption and the consistent reliability when it comes to delivery, the ARS-1 product, which will be called Neffy, represents a step forward in patient care for the treatment of severe systemic allergic reactions to help prevent anaphylaxis.”

Visit aaaai.org to learn more about anaphylaxis. This research was published in an online supplement to The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) represents allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic and immunologic diseases. Established in 1943, the AAAAI has over 7,000 members in the United States, Canada and 72 other countries. The AAAAI’s Find an Allergist/Immunologist service is a trusted resource to help you find a specialist close to home.

###

Share article on social media or email:

Sunshine Care Partners

TULSA, Okla. (PRWEB)
March 16, 2020

Sunshine Care Partners serves chronically ill elderly, and transitional Medicare patients from inpatient hospitalization or post-acute stay. Sunshine Care Partners primarily contracts with Long Term Care Facilities, Post-Acute, and Hospital Groups. “Over the last 36 months, Sunshine Care Partners has expanded throughout Oklahoma nursing homes, post-acute facilities, and hospitals serving patients in both rural and metro settings” says company CEO Rusty McMurray. Currently Sunshine Care Partners serve companies whose facilities provide care for almost 75% of all Oklahoma Long Term Care residents. Over the last 36 months Sunshine Care Partners has grown from 0 to over 10,000 Oklahoman’s served.

“I am most excited about opening up the Dallas Forth Worth and Los Angeles market spaces, not because those markets are 2-4 times larger than the entire state of Oklahoma, but the fact we are bringing service offerings to these areas, developed in Oklahoma, and have little to no competition in those markets. We are bringing new outcomes-based care to the elderly” says company COO Kevin Turner.

Sunshine Care Partners Chief People Officer Bill Turner states, “Our unique face2face and Telehealth model combines personal face2face services combined with valuable telehealth services. All healthcare providers know healthcare is a local home and community-based service model. Outcomes prove this model works.”

Sunshine Care Partners is working with Oklahoma Legislators and Oklahoma Career-Tech representatives to design curriculum for the Oklahoma Career-Tech system in a public/private partnership to train 21st Century Telehealth workers through Oklahoma’s world class Career-Tech system. “With over $1.5 Billion spent in Oklahoma building our Career-Tech system over the last decade, our Career-Tech system in set to develop 21st century Telehealth workers who can not only serve Oklahoman’s but every American”, states company CEO, McMurray.

Sunshine Care Partners is an Oklahoma Corporation. For more information about Sunshine Care Partners, please contact Bill Turner at bill.turner@sunshinecp.com or 405-664-5779

Share article on social media or email:

Our technology is at the cutting edge of healthcare data access and distribution. As we begin a new year and a new decade, it’s important that our branding and online user experience reflects the innovative nature of our solutions and the forward-thinking attitude of our expert team.

NATICK, Mass. (PRWEB)
March 17, 2020

Interbit Data, a leading technology company dedicated to providing hospital care teams with on-demand access to crucial patient data, has announced the launch of its refreshed website, including a new tagline and look and feel.

With more than 23 years in business, Interbit Data delivers innovative software solutions to hospitals and health systems across North America that are looking to streamline the way they share information and distribute reports enterprise-wide, including to offsite clinics and users. Interbit Data also provides care teams access to critical information during planned and unplanned system downtimes and/or cyberattacks, ensuring patient safety and continuity of care.

“Our technology is at the cutting edge of healthcare data access and distribution. As we begin a new year and a new decade, it’s important that our branding and online user experience reflects the innovative nature of our solutions and the forward-thinking attitude of our expert team,” says Arthur Young, President and CEO of Interbit Data.

Interbit Data offers two distinct software solutions, NetDelivery and NetSafe. NetDelivery is an automated report distribution solution that delivers information generated from a hospital’s healthcare information system (HCIS) to clinicians and staff across the organization, helping hospitals improve efficiency, streamline workflows, and provide optimal patient service and high-quality care, all while meeting compliance with federal patient privacy and access requirements. NetSafe ensures uninterrupted accessibility to critical patient information during system downtimes in a secure, HIPAA-compliant environment. These downtimes may be planned, such as routine system updates, unplanned, such as power outages and natural disasters, or crises, such as data breaches and cyberattacks. In either instance, NetSafe’s Point-of-Care and CyberCrisis Vault modules ensure access to the information needed to avoid care interruption.

“As a Registered Nurse, I can attest to the fact that without access to the right information, patient safety can and will be compromised,” says Kelley Smith, RN, MPH, former nurse at Henry Ford Health System. “Care teams must have uninterrupted access to a patient’s clinical history, medication schedule, allergies and more, or we just can’t make the real-time decisions necessary for safe and effective care. Whether it’s power outages or cyberattacks, interruptions happen, and Interbit Data’s solutions help ensure we have the information we need at all times.”

About Interbit Data

Interbit Data is an industry leader in data accessibility for hospitals and health systems. Our software solutions ensure secure, reliable access to patient information anytime, anywhere – including at offsite locations, during system downtimes, and even during cyberattacks. With more than 23 years in business and more than 700 customers across North America, we are experts at data access and report distribution, empowering you to improve efficiency, streamline workflows, provide optimal patient service and high-quality care, all while meeting federal patient privacy and access requirements. Discover more at interbitdata.com.

Share article on social media or email:

The Patient Experience Policy Forum (PXPF), supported by the Beryl Institute, releases a new position paper – It’s Time To Take Patient Experience Measurement And Reporting To A New Level: Next Steps For Modernizing And Democratizing National Patient Surveys.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (PRWEB)
March 17, 2020

The Patient Experience Policy Forum (PXPF), supported by the Beryl Institute, releases a new position paper – It’s Time To Take Patient Experience Measurement And Reporting To A New Level: Next Steps For Modernizing And Democratizing National Patient Surveys. Published as a blog post with Health Affairs, illustrates that while standardized Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) measures have played an important role in efforts to improve patient experiences, it is time for a comprehensive effort to modernize and democratize all surveys and related data used to assess patient experiences with care.

The article highlights the major improvements needed to modernize national patient experience surveys, by making the data more accessible and understandable to all health care stakeholders. It is recommended that these changes apply to all mandated surveys of patient experiences, not just CAHPS Hospital Survey (HCAHPS).

The next steps for modernizing the surveys include:

• Routinely update survey content based on patient, family, and caregiver input
• Include patient narratives and comments
• Expand modes of administration
• Refine invitation messages

And for democratizing surveys include:

• Level the survey playing field
• Publish vendor-neutral comparative data
• Align measurement requirements
• Enhance public reporting

Click here to view visual: Recommendations for Modernizing and Democratizing Patient Surveys

“From its emergence as an idea fostered by the voices of our community, to a thoughtful, collaborative and visionary effort, the PX Policy Forum represents a growing unified voice linking professionals and patients in co-creating what is possible in elevating the human experience in healthcare through policy.” said Jason Wolf, PhD, CPXP, President & CEO of The Beryl Institute. “This powerful statement on what it will take to rethink how we measure and act on what we ask patients and families offers a forward-thinking foundation for the future on which we must all build.”

View the full article: https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20200309.359946/full/

###

About The Beryl Institute:

The Beryl Institute is a global community that builds the capacity of organizations to elevate the human experience in healthcare and develops individuals who impact experience excellence. We believe human experience is grounded in experiences of patients & families, those who work in healthcare and the communities they serve.

We define the patient experience as the sum of all interactions, shaped by an organization’s culture, that influence patient perceptions across the continuum of care.

About The Patient Experience Policy Forum:

The Patient Experience Policy Forum (PXPF), supported by the Beryl Institute, is a broad-based and diverse coalition of patients, family members, caregivers, and health care professionals uniquely led by a balanced board of patient/family partners and senior patient experience leaders. Our purpose and commitment is to advocate for and help shape policy at the national and local levels on issues that directly affect patient and family experience and elevate the human experience in health care. We do so through convening policy forums, educating policy makers, sponsoring advocacy events, providing communication updates, and publishing calls to action.

Share article on social media or email:

WCG CenterWatch

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (PRWEB)
March 17, 2020

Informed Consent

Human Subject Protection in the Digital Health Age

An FDAnews/CenterWatch Webinar

Tuesday, March 31, 2020, 1:30-3:00 p.m. EDT

https://www.centerwatch.com/informedconsent

In today’s digital age, it’s not uncommon for people to regularly share their personal healthcare data with everything from medical apps to wearables to clinical decision software.

Knowing whether this information is subject to informed consent and how it can be used for research purposes is critical for any clinical trials executive.

Does one have a good grasp on the latest regulations of digital technologies and how it will affect trials and product development?

Join CenterWatch and experts Michael Werner and Sara Klock for a comprehensive webinar on how to comply with FDA and other federal regulation of digital technologies March 31:

● Assess how digital technologies used to gather, analyze and report healthcare data for medical treatment purposes or to promote a healthy lifestyle can also be used for research purposes

● Familiarize oneself with the regulatory landscape to understand how digital technologies and the information they gather and use in research will be regulated

● Determine how to design clinical trials using digital technologies that comply with the 21st Century Cures Act and changes to the Common Rule

● Identify what activities can be undertaken to develop new digital technologies without triggering federal research regulations

● Find out how to develop informed consent forms when Institutional Review Board oversight is required, and other compliance questions

● Identify factors likely to determine whether and to what extent certain technologies are regulated as medical devices by FDA

In the era of digital information collection, ones needs to know how to gather, analyze and report healthcare data that is obtained electronically.

Interested in registering multiple sites?

Call 888.838.5578 in the U.S. or +1 703.538.7600 globally

to learn about our special multisite discount.

Webinar Details:

Informed Consent

Human Subject Protection in the Digital Health Age

An FDAnews/CenterWatch Webinar

Tuesday, March 31, 2020, 1:30-3:00 p.m. EDT

https://www.centerwatch.com/informedconsent

Tuition:

$287 per site

Easy Ways to Register:

Online: https://www.centerwatch.com/informedconsent

By phone: 888.838.5578 or 703.538.7600

About FDAnews:

FDAnews is the premier provider of domestic and international regulatory, legislative, and business news and information for executives in industries regulated by the US FDA and the European Medicines Agency. Pharmaceutical and medical device professionals rely on FDAnews’ print and electronic newsletters, books and conferences to stay in compliance with international standards and the FDA’s complex and ever-changing regulations

Share article on social media or email: