Category Archives: Health

What is new in the field of Health. Trending topics, and cutting edge research in the are of Health. Press Releases that give us updates on Health.

Laura Kreofsky, Pivot Point Consulting, Advisory VP Receives Consulting Magazine’s 2020 Women Leaders in Technology Award


Laura Kreofsky, Advisory VP, Pivot Point Consulting

Laura Kreofsky, Advisory VP, Pivot Point Consulting

“It’s a great honor—I see it as a hallmark of my tenure in consulting, my passion for healthcare and technology and my commitment to and pleasure I receive in opening doors and sustaining relationships with other women in this field.”

Laura Kreofsky, MHA, MBA, PMP, CPHIMS, Pivot Point Consulting Vice President of Advisory Services has received Consulting Magazine’s 2020 Women Leaders in Technology Award. This is the inaugural award recognizing women leaders in technology for excellence in three categories—Leadership, Client Service and Innovation.

Her long tenure as a healthcare IT leader reflects her commitment to her work, her clients and to ensuring women thrive in this specialized industry. Early in Laura’s career as a staff consultant at Ernst & Young and the healthcare division of Cap Gemini, she was mentored by women pioneers in the industry. At the next stage of her career with organizations including Kaiser Permanente, the State of Wisconsin and Impact Advisors, Laura worked for and with many women executives to hone her technical and leadership skills. Today at Pivot Point Consulting she leads the firm’s strategy and planning services nationwide. She also actively mentors others in her management and client service roles.

“Laura is passionate, tenacious and deeply committed to advancing the field of healthcare IT,” says Pivot Point Consulting Co-Founder and Managing Partner Rachel Marano. She not only brings expertise, acumen and integrity to the delivery of each project, but also cares about the broader impact to the organization she’s serving and the healthcare ecosystem. Laura is dedicated to the team’s success and ensuring our work and projects foster client success.”

Laura is a change maker and actively contributes to the healthcare IT community. She contributes significantly to CHIME and HIMSS around innovation and directs Pivot Point Consulting’s thought leadership—positioning Pivot Point Consulting as a leading industry voice in healthcare IT innovation and regulatory expertise. She also serves on the Oregon HIMSS Board, promoting inclusive events and encouraging the participation of female professionals. In addition, she leads a women in healthcare IT networking group in Portland, Oregon.

In regard to winning the award, Laura says, “It’s a great honor—I see it as a hallmark of my tenure in consulting, my passion for healthcare and technology and my commitment to and pleasure I receive in opening doors and sustaining relationships with other women in this field.”

Laura and the other award winners are highlighted in the April 2020 issue of Consulting Magazine and will be celebrated at recognition awards brunch in Chicago in August.

About Pivot Point Consulting

Pivot Point Consulting, 2020 Best in KLAS: Overall IT Services Firm, enables healthcare organizations to realize the most value from their technology and data through our Advisory, Implementation, Optimization, Managed Services and Talent Solutions. We work with providers, payers and life sciences organizations and have 450+ employees serving over 85 clients across the U.S.

Pivot Point Consulting has earned many industry and workplace quality awards including: Best in KLAS: Overall IT Services Firm (2020), Top Three Best in KLAS for HIT Implementation and Support (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), Highest Rated Vendor in KLAS Implementation Services in the Select Category (2017), #1 in KLAS for Epic Consulting in the Select Category (2016) and #9 in Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work (2016)

For more information, visit us at pivotpointconsulting.com. Follow us on Linkedin.

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NeoTract Designates Dr. Sheldon Freedman as UroLift® Center of Excellence


News Image

“We are proud to name Dr. Sheldon Freedman as a UroLift Center of Excellence and provider of care for men with enlarged prostate symptoms using the UroLift System treatment,” said Dave Amerson

NeoTract, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE:TFX) focused on addressing unmet needs in the field of urology, today announced that Sheldon Freedman, M.D., Freedman Urology in Las Vegas, NV, has been designated as a UroLift® Center of Excellence. The designation recognizes that Dr. Freedman has achieved a high level of training and experience with the UroLift® System and demonstrated a commitment to exemplary care for men suffering from symptoms associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate.

Recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines, the FDA-cleared Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH. The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue.

The UroLift Center of Excellence program is designed to highlight urologists who are committed to educating their patients on BPH and the UroLift System as a treatment option and consistently seek to deliver excellent patient outcomes and experiences.

“We are proud to name Dr. Sheldon Freedman as a UroLift Center of Excellence and provider of care for men with enlarged prostate symptoms using the UroLift System treatment,” said Dave Amerson, president of the Teleflex Interventional Urology business unit. “The UroLift System is a safe and effective treatment that allows physicians to treat men in-office under local anesthesia, so they can experience lasting symptom relief within days after receiving treatment.”

Over 40 million men in the United States are affected by BPH, a condition that occurs when the prostate gland that surrounds the male urethra becomes enlarged with advancing age and begins to obstruct the urinary system. Symptoms of BPH often include interrupted sleep and urinary problems and can cause loss of productivity, depression and decreased quality of life.

Medication is often the first-line therapy for enlarged prostate, but relief can be inadequate and temporary. Side effects of medication treatment can include sexual dysfunction, dizziness and headaches, prompting many patients to quit using the drugs. For these patients, the classic alternative is surgery that cuts, heats or removes prostate tissue to open the blocked urethra. While current surgical options can be very effective in relieving symptoms, they can also leave patients with permanent side effects such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and retrograde ejaculation.

About the UroLift® System

The FDA-cleared UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a minimally invasive transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue. Clinical data from a pivotal 206-patient randomized controlled study showed that patients with enlarged prostate receiving UroLift implants reported rapid and durable symptomatic and urinary flow rate improvement without compromising sexual function*1,2. Patients also experienced a significant improvement in quality of life. Over 100,000 men have been treated with the UroLift System in the U.S. Most common adverse events reported include hematuria, dysuria, micturition urgency, pelvic pain, and urge incontinence. Most symptoms were mild to moderate in severity and resolved within two to four weeks after the procedure. The Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines. The UroLift System is available in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. Learn more at http://www.UroLift.com.

About NeoTract | Teleflex Interventional Urology

A wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated, the Interventional Urology Business Unit is dedicated to developing innovative, minimally invasive and clinically effective devices that address unmet needs in the field of urology. Our initial focus is on improving the standard of care for patients with BPH using the UroLift System, a minimally invasive permanent implant system that treats symptoms while preserving normal sexual function*1,2. Learn more at http://www.NeoTract.com.

About Teleflex Incorporated

Teleflex is a global provider of medical technologies designed to improve the health and quality of people’s lives. We apply purpose driven innovation – a relentless pursuit of identifying unmet clinical needs – to benefit patients and healthcare providers. Our portfolio is diverse, with solutions in the fields of vascular and interventional access, surgical, anesthesia, cardiac care, urology, emergency medicine and respiratory care. Teleflex employees worldwide are united in the understanding that what we do every day makes a difference. For more information, please visit http://www.teleflex.com.

Teleflex is the home of Arrow®, Deknatel®, Hudson RCI®, LMA®, Pilling®, Rusch®, UroLift® and Weck® – trusted brands united by a common sense of purpose

# # #

For Teleflex Incorporated:

Jake Elguicze, 610.948.2836

Treasurer and Vice President, Investor Relations

Media:

Nicole Osmer, 650.454.0504 nicole@healthandcommerce.com

*No instances of new, sustained erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction

1. Roehrborn, J Urology 2013 LIFT Study

2.McVary, J Sex Med 2016

MAC00968-01 Rev A

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The Rona Effect on New York City produced by C4 Media LLC


No shoppers in SOHO

“We’re all neighbors, more so now than ever before because quarantine makes us all relatable”, says Connie. A Lifelong New Yorker and Essential worker.

Quarantine has drastically changed the upbeat atmosphere New Yorkers are familiar with into a calamity and pedestrian environment. In the beginning of March popular New York City locations such as the Financial District and Times Square were buzzing with shoppers, tourists and commuters rushing from one point of the city to the next. By the middle of March the majority of people employed with jobs located within the city found themselves reading memos from their employers to continue their work obligations from home. The suggestion to stay home in order to avoid contracting the Coronavirus derived from elected officials days before it was mandated that non essential businesses remain closed until further notice. A strategy that has resulted in desolate streets, as well as worrisome New York City residents.

NYC residents have come together to support each other during abrupt lifestyle adjustments, and to provide support for essential workers. Although the Coronavirus has led to roughly 82,000 deaths, nyc residents have been engaging in various fitness, as well as work related activities within their homes to help assist all the professionals fighting on the front lines to flatten the curve of Covid19. While most New Yorkers are concerned about their unknown futures, growing restless from remaining inside their homes and anxious about the daunting task of surviving Covid19. They somehow remain optimistic and supportive because they understand that they’re not alone. “We’re all neighbors, more so now than ever before because quarantine makes us all relatable”, says Connie. A Lifelong New Yorker and Essential worker.

C4 Media’s “The Rona Effect” Video captures the current climate of New York City while also inspiring New Yorkers to continue moving forward. That is detailed in the last scene as Photographer Steve Low continues to walk on through the night. The video serves as a lens to the current reality for New Yorkers, in addition to the ability nyc residents share to unite and support each other through dark times.

C4 Media is a small New York City Based Media company that tells authentic stories without sacrifice or distortion in any capacity. Founded June 26, 2019 with a current staff of 13 employees. C4 currently has a production, “Friendly Face-off” that tells the stories of local fighters, coaches and professionals that contribute to combat sports. They are in production of a home baking show and a woman’s docuseries as well. You will find an extended version of “The Rona Effect” on their website.

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AppointmentPlus Helps Schedule COVID-19 Testing


AppointmentPlus - Appointment Scheduling Software

Widespread diagnostic testing to identify those infected is a known pillar in the fight against a spreading pandemic. In light of this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has endeavored to get COVID-19 test kits distributed quickly. After an initial setback related to faulty test kits, the CDC is now actively distributing kits to qualified labs across the United States.

As a result of their newfound access to test kits – and their ability to utilize clinical and commercial labs for processing – many cities and counties are grappling with how to handle the onslaught of patients needing to be tested.

Some who have set up outdoor testing sites have quickly realized the problems associated with the first-come-first-served model. Indeed at some sites, patients have to wait in the car line for hours and hours. That’s not a good result for anyone, especially someone who is experiencing heavy symptoms and needs to rest.

So many municipalities are turning to AppointmentPlus’ online appointment scheduling system for their COVID-19 testing initiatives.

One director at a large county on the East Coast noted, “I was so impressed by the ease of use and functionality of the AppointmentPlus system. I was also appreciative of how quickly they established our environment since time was of the essence. The great service provided by AppointmentPlus is allowing us to best serve our citizens. The scheduling system was critical to our success.”

AppointmentPlus is uniquely designed to accommodate situations such as those that arise during a pandemic. The application design easily supports enterprise-scale volume. Plus, with AppointmentPlus’ HIPAA compliance and its ability to quickly set up walled-off environments, it’s a solution well-suited for this need.

AppointmentPlus CEO, Bob La Loggia, stated, “If we can help ease the pain and suffering of those infected with COVID-19, and if we can allow front-line healthcare workers to do their jobs more efficiently and with less stress, then we’ve done our little part in helping to overcome this pandemic.”

AppointmentPlus is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. The company provides online appointment scheduling software for thousands of businesses and institutions, including over 50 of the Fortune 500, and many government agencies. Nearly a billion appointments have been processed through the application since inception. To learn more about online appointment scheduling software visit our website, click here.

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Medication Shortages Cause Concerns Over Prescription Drug Price Gouging, From The Senior Citizens League


Policy Analyst

“This is an election year and the last thing your Members of Congress want to hear is that health insurers are blaming COVID-19 for their steep price increases,” says Johnson.

Concern is growing that prescription drug shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic may cause significant spikes in prescription drug costs for retirees, The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) warns. “Some of the recent data, and email from the public suggests that we may be in for stiff jumps in some prescription drug prices,” says Mary Johnson, a Medicare and Social Security policy analyst for The Senior Citizens League.

A new poll conducted by The Senior Citizens League, from January through March 20, 2020, when there was still a relatively low number of U.S. COVID-19 cases, indicates that 36 percent of survey participants report that they expected their total drug costs will grow by more than 10 percent this year. Of those, 19 percent thought their costs would grow by more than 20 percent, based on their best estimate of 2020 Medicare drug or health plan premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.

“But those estimates did not anticipate COVID-19 – caused drug shortages for some of the most widely-prescribed medications, such as albuterol inhalers, or the insulin drug Lantus,” says Johnson. A study published in the Annuals of Internal Medicine in 2018 suggests that pharmaceutical companies raise prices of drugs that face shortage about 20 percent annually on average, but about 9 percent annually for medications in good supply. “There is nothing in Medicare Part D pricing system that protects older Americans from stiff price increases during the coronavirus crisis,” Johnson says.

Johnson recently refilled a prescription for albuterol inhalers, a drug that is reported to be in short supply. Her drug plan’s online pharmacy posted an estimated copay of $81.00 each. Her small, privately- owned walk-in pharmacy was still was charging $46.99 each. “While I managed to save on this refill using our local pharmacy, it’s not clear whether I will be able to do that again for the next one,” Johnson notes. Johnson put together a list of steps that consumers can take if encountering significant prescription drug price increases:

1. Contact your doctor’s office and alert them to the price increase. Ask if they have emergency samples of your prescription that they can provide, or if they can give you the contact number of programs that can help you.

2. Ask your doctor if you have alternate drug choices to manage your condition. Ask your doctor if there are changes you can make in diet or exercise that could help reduce your reliance on the medication or help lower the quantity that you need to take.

3. Call your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and ask for free counseling from a Medicare counselor. You can find local contact info here: https://www.shiptacenter.org. Many of these programs operate through local agencies on aging or senior services departments. Counselors can help you over the phone from home.

4. Depending on your income, you may qualify for Medicare Extra Help, which can cover most or all of your prescription drug premium and out-of-pocket costs. A SHIP counselor may also know of special programs in your state.

5. Double check the price quote that you received by checking the difference in price between several retail walk-in pharmacies and mail-in. Often, mail order can be less expensive than walk-in retail, but not always. If you have your prescriptions set up for automatic mail order shipments, double check the current prices and make adjustments if you can lower that cost. Check for each separate drug.

6. If you feel the price increase isn’t justified, send an email to your Members of Congress!

“This is an election year and the last thing your Members of Congress want to hear is that health insurers are blaming COVID-19 for their steep price increases,” says Johnson. There is a tool for checking whether there really is a shortage. Look up your prescription in the FDA’s drug shortage database.

Safeguarding the health of Americans is of primary importance now. The Senior Citizens League is working for legislation that would help strengthen and boost Social Security and lower out-of-pocket Medicare costs. To learn more, visit http://www.SeniorsLeague.org.

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With 1.2 million supporters, The Senior Citizens League is one of the nation’s largest nonpartisan seniors’ groups. Its mission is to promote and assist members and supporters, to educate and alert senior citizens about their rights and freedoms as U.S. Citizens, and to protect and defend the benefits senior citizens have earned and paid for. The Senior Citizens League is a proud affiliate of The Retired Enlisted Association. Visit http://www.SeniorsLeague.org for more information.

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“Salivary Bioscience Foundations of Interdisciplinary Saliva Research and Applications”


Foundations of Interdisciplinary Saliva Research and Applications

This book effectively and comprehensively chronicles the utility of oral fluid as a diagnostic specimen for use by clinicians and researchers worldwide…

“Salivary Bioscience Foundations of Interdisciplinary Saliva Research and Applications”, from Springer, provides the first comprehensive overview of a rapidly emerging field; interdisciplinary salivary bioscience. It serves as a foundational reference guide to the collection, analysis, and interpretation of salivary data, as well as its myriad applications in medicine, surveillance and public health. The ease and non-invasive nature of saliva collection makes it highly useful in diverse fields such as pediatrics, dentistry, neuroscience, psychology, animal welfare, and precision medicine. Featuring over 30 different teams of expert investigators from the salivary bioscience community, “Salivary Bioscience Foundations of Interdisciplinary Saliva Research and Applications” introduces students and scientists alike to the vast potential of saliva in both research and practice.

With the rapid adoption of salivary bioscience into a substantial number of interdisciplinary research fields, investigators are often challenged with keeping up with the latest comprehensive knowledge around the science of saliva. Now, “Salivary Bioscience: Foundations of Interdisciplinary Saliva Research and Applications” will educate readers on the current state of the field, as well as guide researchers on the improvements in research methods, technology and fundamental knowledge required so that they can maximize their benefits from incorporating salivary bioscience into their study. As salivary bioscience continues to mature and shape the multidisciplinary scientific landscape at an exponential rate, “Foundations of Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience” is an indispensable tool for a state-of-the-art guide to salivary bioscience research. Along with the dissemination of important milestones established by key opinion leaders in their respective fields, this book presents readers with expert guidelines for incorporating saliva into research studies, along with the application of common salivary bioscience theory and practice. Combined with prospective future directions, this publication further details a roadmap for advancing science. Now, researchers can confidently design studies around high-impact concepts, based on the compliance and application of the latest knowledge.

“This book effectively and comprehensively chronicles the utility of oral fluid as a diagnostic specimen for use by clinicians and researchers worldwide,” says Steve Granger, Ph.D., Salimetrics Chief Scientific Officer and co-author of Chapter 11 on assay methods and quality requirements for salivary diagnostics. Each chapter reviews the history, current status, methodological issues, challenges and future directions of specific fields by their respective key opinion leaders. Foundations also highlights the advantages and challenges associated with salivary bioscience research in real-word settings, policies, and gaps found in salivary bioscience across different industries.

Foundations begins with the evolving history of salivary bioscience and chronicles how saliva-based publications have been on the rise for the past 25 years. The history is followed by the anatomy and physiology of the salivary glands at a micro and macro level with technical information regarding saliva production and location. Then readers are presented with technical advice on saliva collection handling, saliva transport and storage, as well as important considerations that researchers should be aware of when designing a study. “This supplemental information also helps guide researchers in answering some of the more confusing questions, such as deciding between different saliva collection methods,” says Supriya Gaitonde, Ph.D., Salimetrics Senior Application Scientist and co-author of Chapter 11 on assay methods and quality requirements for salivary diagnostics. “By following astute scientific advice, investigators will now have a comprehensive background for successful study designs and scheduling.”

However, study design and sample integrity is just the beginning of building a successful study. Researchers must also consider analytical strategies and tactics to solidify the interpretation of their results. “Salivary Bioscience: Foundations of Interdisciplinary Saliva Research and Applications” also discusses advanced statistical analysis including multilevel modeling and latent variable modeling; better methods that have evolved to increase the value of salivary bioscience data. This book also presents the reader with knowledge that will enable investigators to know which methodologies best fit their study design. Not only does being aware of the advancing statistical methods in salivary bioscience increase the successful application of data, but it also allows researchers to think in a new and innovative way.

Today, questions are being answered with saliva that could have not been possible using traditional biological specimens. “Although advancements in technology and methods have been made, we’re just beginning to appreciate a small percentage of the value of what salivary bioscience can tell us about health and human behavior. Indeed, the last chapter here is only the beginning. Soon, proven methods of salivary bioscience research will translate into the tools that make salivary diagnostics indispensable,” says Dr. Gaitonde. “Of course, Salimetrics will be here to maintain the better methods that increase rigor and reproducibility throughout as we are committed to being the best partner for the next generation of salivary bioscience as well.”

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Sunrise Hitek Manufactures Hygienic Face Shields and other PPE During COVID-19 Pandemic


Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Face Shield

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Face Shield

The Sunrise Hygienic Face Shield is made out of one material, a durable rigid vinyl – to minimize supply chain issues with either the foam or headband. Since these shields are made from a single piece of clear material, they pack flat, lower shipping cost, and assemble in seconds.

Sunrise Hitek designed the Hygienic Face Shield using a single material — a durable clear rigid vinyl, to address three specific issues we see with other face shields on the market:

     1. Hygiene – face shields with a foam strip and elastic headband tend to soak up sweat and become magnets for bacteria, and cannot be cleaned easily;

     2. Supply Chain Dependency – when multiple parts and materials are used, if any one of the components has a shortage, then the entire production is halted;

     3. High Production Volume – face shields that require manual assembly of foam strip and elastic band take a long time to produce, and take up a lot of space for shipping, which translates to slower deployment and higher cost.

Sunrise Hitek’s new Face Shield a more hygienic model than

many others out there. A common design includes a clear shield, a foam strip, and an elastic headband. These parts absorb dust and sweat easily, and quickly become a magnet for bacteria. In addition, there is no easy way to clean them after just a few hours of use. The Sunrise Hygienic Face Shield is made out of one material, a durable rigid vinyl – to minimize supply chain issues with either the foam or headband. Since these shields are made from a single piece of clear material, they pack flat, lower shipping cost, and assemble in seconds. An adjustable headband makes it “one size fits all”, and further eases deployment. The built-in spacer shifts the shield away from the user’s face and is still comfortable when also wearing with a mask, with or without eyeglasses and goggles. They sanitize easily with alcohol and are reusable. The Hygienic Face Shield can be made quickly and efficiently with a high production capacity of 100K per week. Typical shipping is within 2-3 days after order. In addition, Sunrise have made their first donation shipment today to a local Chicago area hospital. Donations requests can be taken here.

In addition to the face shields, Sunrise Hitek are leveraging their overseas supplier network to offer other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to help fight the COVID-19 health pandemic. These include fast ship EN149 or FDA Approved Disposable Masks, plus FDA approved KN95 Masks. For even more information see Aleyant Pressero Blog.

Sunrise Hitek also compiled a selection of fast and economical Covid-19 Social Distancing Signs. These range from A-Frame and yard signs, to floor decals, window graphics, pole signs and more. Choose from standard artwork ready to print, or create a completely custom design. All printing and hardware are premium quality to make even the most demanding brands proud.Sunrise offers drop shipping and fulfillment directly to all your locations.

About Sunrise Hitek

Sunrise Hitek is an Inc. 5000 company established in 1988 and offers speedy and innovative print marketing execution for the world’s leading brands. Sunrise employs the most advanced equipment and technology, such as G7-certified HP Indigo & UV flatbed presses, digital die-cutting, and specialty coating/lamination, to create best-in-class color printing, packaging, trade show & display graphics, plus a wide variety of promo products. A privately-owned enterprise, the company is based in Chicago and sells products worldwide.

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Strategic Radiology Adds First Maryland Practice, Chesapeake Medical Imaging


Mark S. Baganz, MD

“Our practice is looking forward to the collaborative opportunities within Strategic Radiology to access best practices for business management and practice management. We also plan to participate in SR’s group purchasing program and patient safety initiatives.”

Chesapeake Medical Imaging (CMI), a 12-radiologist independent private practice with 13 outpatient imaging centers, has joined the Strategic Radiology coalition.

CMI is a full-service practice with an emphasis on cross-sectional imaging, particularly MRI. The practice has built a reputation for subspecialty expertise among referring physicians and for a high level of service to patients and clinicians.

“We are delighted to welcome Chesapeake Medical Imaging to our coalition of independent practices,” said Arl Van Moore Jr, MD, FACR, CEO and chair, Strategic Radiology. “CMI is a highly regarded, entrepreneurial practice, and our first all-outpatient member group. We see a great deal of opportunity for collaboration with other SR groups in this important care arena, especially during the current challenging times.”

The group was founded in 2001 by CMI president Mark D. Baganz, MD, and has grown under his leadership to earn a reputation for exceptional service in the health care communities it serves. CMI operates 13 outpatient imaging centers throughout Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay region, from Annapolis to Nottingham.

“Our practice is looking forward to the collaborative opportunities within Strategic Radiology to access best practices for business management and practice management,” said Dr. Baganz, CMI president. “We also look forward to participating in SR’s group purchasing program and patient safety initiatives.”

CMI imaging centers offer the full range of imaging services including CT, MRI, PET-CT, nuclear imaging, ultrasound, and women’s imaging, with subspecialty interpretations provided by CMI radiologists. CMI is a registered amyloid PET site and participated in the Imaging Dementia—Evidence for Amyloid Scanning (IDEAS) study.

About Strategic Radiology    

Strategic Radiology is a coalition of independent, private radiology practices, representing more than 1,100 radiologists. The coalition’s goal is to achieve higher quality patient care and more cost-efficient delivery of medical imaging through an integrated approach of shared data and best practices, interchanging clinical expertise, and consolidating certain practice expenses. It operates the nation’s first radiology-focused Patient Safety Organization listed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. http://www.StrategicRadiology.org.

SR Members:

  • Asheville Radiology Associates; Asheville, NC
  • Casper Medical Imaging and Outpatient Radiology; Casper, WY
  • Central Illinois Radiological Associates; Peoria, IL
  • Chesapeake Medical Imaging; Annapolis, MD
  • Diagnostic Imaging Northwest; Portland, OR
  • Gaston Radiology; Gastonia, NC
  • The Hill Medical Corporation; Pasadena, CA
  • Huron Valley Radiology; Ann Arbor, MI
  • Inland Imaging; Spokane, WA
  • Mecklenburg Radiology Associates; Charlotte, NC
  • Medical Center Radiology Group; Orlando, FL
  • Modesto Radiological Medical Group (MRMG); Modesto, CA
  • Mountain Medical Physician Specialists; Salt Lake City, UT
  • Naugatuck Valley Radiological Associates; Waterbury, CT
  • Northwest Radiology; Indianapolis, IN
  • Quantum Radiology; Atlanta, GA
  • Radiologic Medical Services; Iowa City, IA
  • Radiology Associates; Jeffersonville, IN
  • Radiology Associates of Macon; Macon, GA
  • Radiology Associates of North Texas; Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
  • Radiology Associates of Tallahassee; Tallahassee, FL
  • Rome Radiology Group; Rome, GA
  • Southeast Radiology, Ltd.; Glen Mills, PA
  • Tower Imaging Medical Group; Santa Monica, CA
  • United Imaging Consultants; Mission, KS
  • University Radiology; East Brunswick, NJ
  • X-Ray Consultants; South Bend, IN

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Soft-Tex Announces Donation of 10,000 Masks to Local New York Organizations to Protect Against Coronavirus


“At the very core of Soft-Tex’s mission is our commitment to our community. With our factory in upstate New York, we’re honored to be able to answer the call during these unprecedented times…” -Chris Marsh, Soft-Tex Chief Business Officer.

Soft-Tex International, a leading supplier of memory foam bedding and innovative home comfort technologies, announced today its planned donation of 10,000 antimicrobial masks with built-in SilverClear antimicrobial technology to help local New York organizations in need of masks protect against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“At the very core of Soft-Tex’s mission is our commitment to our community. With our factory in upstate New York, we’re honored to be able to answer the call during these unprecedented times and provide this donation of masks to organizations in need,” said Chris Marsh, Soft-Tex Chief Business Officer.

A web-based submission process has been established for organizations to request mask donations on Soft-Tex’s website at https://soft-tex.com/mask-donation/. These masks feature built-in antimicrobial technology, meet Candian PHAC guidelines, and align with the CDC’s recommendation of using cloth face coverings to fight the spread of COVID-19; however, are not surgical masks nor N-95 respirators.

Submissions will be honored on a first-come, first served basis and priority will be given to causes near our Albany, NY area facility so the masks can be distributed immediately.

About Soft-Tex International, Inc.

Soft-Tex International, Inc. is an innovation company focused on building the most comfortable products to help the world sleep and live better. With proprietary technologies spanning categories like personal climate control, wellness, antimicrobials, & allergen barriers, coupled with coveted national brands like SensorPEDIC®, SensorGel®, BioPEDIC®, & DreamSmart®, Soft-Tex offers its retail, distributor, and other partners the highest quality, most comfortable products with best-in-class, in-house merchandising, digital marketing, customer service, and global supply chain capabilities.

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Clarion Safety Systems’ Director of Standards Compliance Nominated as Chair of ANSI Z535.1 Subcommittee


Angela Lambert, director of standards compliance at Clarion Safety, has been nominated to lead the ANSI Z535.1 subcommittee.

Angela works closely with our clients, guiding them on their label and sign projects to ensure they meet today’s best practices. With that background, as well as her involvement in the ANSI and ISO standards, I’m certain she’ll excel at this new leadership role.

Clarion Safety Systems, a leading manufacturer of safety labels, signs and tags, is pleased to share an update from the latest American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z535 committee meeting, including the nomination of its director of standards compliance, Angela Lambert, to lead the ANSI Z535.1 subcommittee.

ANSI Z535 is an American standard that provides a system for presenting safety and accident prevention information. This United States standards‐making body writes standards that govern the characteristics of visual safety markings that are used to warn about hazards and prevent accidents. The ANSI Z535 family of six standards covers the formatting, colors and symbols used for safety signs, labels, tags and markings and how safety information is presented in instruction manuals. The ANSI Z535 standards are often cited in U.S. court decisions as the state‐of‐the‐art benchmark against which safety markings and their adequacy are judged.

A portion of the meeting, held in Orlando, Florida in late February 2020, centered on succession planning of the various ANSI Z535 committee and subcommittee leadership positions. Open subcommittee chair positions include those tasked with leading the ANSI Z535.1, ANSI Z535.4 and ANSI Z535.6 standards, with Lambert receiving the nod for heading Z535.1, which is the standard that focuses on safety colors.

Lambert has been a delegate representative for ANSI since 2016, and has fifteen years of experience in the field of warnings and liability.

“In her role at Clarion Safety, Angela works closely with our product manufacturing and facility safety clients, guiding them on their label, sign and marking projects to ensure they’re in line with their specific needs and today’s visual safety communication best practices. Her work includes having a keen understanding of color systems and print production. With that background, as well as her previous active involvement in the ANSI and ISO standards in product safety at the leadership level, I’m certain she will excel at this role,” says Ron Crawford, CEO of Clarion Safety.

Clarion Safety has a long-standing history of leadership of ANSI Z535. The company’s founder, Geoffrey Peckham, has served as chair of the ANSI Z535 committee for the past eight years. In line with the committee’s succession planning, Peckham and vice chair, Paul Frantz, made the decision to step down and let others take on the committee’s leadership. Two long-time members and contributors to the Z535 committee – Steve Hall as chair and Judi Isaacson as vice chair – have received the nomination as the next in line.

All open positions are currently being balloted and confirmed in accordance with the committee’s operating procedures.

Other major topics of discussion at the February meeting included the next revision of the ANSI Z535 standards. In the coming months, each standard’s subcommittee, and the committee as a whole, will take on the challenge of defining and refining the United States’ best practices related to communicating safety so that people are better protected from harm. The ANSI Z535 standards are due to be republished at the end of 2021.

To learn more about Clarion Safety and its history in the field of visual safety communication, visit the company’s website.

Clarion Safety also accepts media inquiries and speaking opportunities related to safety and risk. To submit a media inquiry, visit the company’s “Newsroom” and select the “For the Media” tab.

ABOUT CLARION SAFETY SYSTEMS

Clarion Safety Systems, LLC, is the leading designer and manufacturer of visual safety solutions that help customers in more than 180 industries worldwide to make their products and premises safer. Clarion offers a full range of standard and custom products including machinery safety labels, environmental and facility safety signs, pipe and valve identification markings, lockout/tagout products, and safety-grade photoluminescent egress path-marking escape systems. Founded in 1990, the company continues to play a leading role in the development and writing of international and national standards for safety signs, labels, and markings. Clarion is headquartered at 190 Old Milford Road in Milford, PA, 18337, and online at http://www.clarionsafety.com.

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