Wright Medical Receives Reimbursement Code for Ulcer Repair Matrix

       Wright Medical, a global orthopedic medical device company, announces that reimbursement J code (J7344) has been assigned for the company’s GRAFTJACKET® Ulcer Repair Matrix, a treatment for chronic wounds often associated with diabetes. Under the new code, Medicare will provide reimbursement for the use of the GRAFTJACKET Ulcer Repair Matrix to treat diabetic foot ulcers and other lower-extremity wounds in the physician office setting.
       This new reimbursement status complements the C code granted in November 2004 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), now making Wright’s GRAFTJACKET Ulcer Repair Matrix reimbursable by Medicare in hospital outpatient departments, wound care centers, and physicians’ offices.
       The J code established for GRAFTJACKET Matrix is defined under the Health Care Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), which CMS administers. Combined with the previously issued C code, the J code makes the GRAFTJACKET technology more accessible for the approximate 480,000 diabetic foot wound sufferers who rely on Medicare coverage.
       The GRAFTJACKET Matrix provides surgeons with a superior treatment option by accelerating tissue regeneration at deep levels of the wound, while protecting the wound surface with a scaffold that converts into functional host tissue.
       Data from a pilot clinical trial show that complete wound healing occurred at 12 weeks in 85% of the patients treated with the GRAFTJACKET Matrix, compared to only 5% of the patients in the conventional treatment group.
       For more information, visit http://www.wmt.com.

EHOB Seeks Participants for Product Trial

       Severely overweight people occasionally have difficulty getting the healthcare that others take for granted. Often, they cannot fit into standard wheelchairs, waiting-room armchairs, or magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scan machines. X-rays frequently cannot penetrate far enough into their bodies to produce useful images, and wall-mounted toilets can snap off under their weight. The result is that people who most need medical treatment do not seek it.
       To address these concerns, EHOB is developing a line of WAFFLE® products specifically designed for bariatric use. Its new cushion achieves the same level of care and prevention in a lower profile by incorporating a larger number of smaller, uniform holes. The diamond-shaped pattern of holes distributes the patient’s weight more evenly and eliminates the “rocking sensation” sometimes felt while seated. Material stress is also minimized using this new design. Due to the low cost, the patient can take the seat cushion to the next level of treatment, maintaining the continuum of care.
       There are a limited number of bariatric seat cushions (28” x 21”) available for evaluation use. EHOB seeks to distribute the cushions to caregivers who can use them and help the company evaluate them free of charge.
       For more information, email corporate@ehob.com and include your name, facility name, and phone number.

ACHCA and MyZiva® Launch Nursing Home Quality Plan

       The American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) and MyZiva® announce that they are now providing ACHCA’s membership with access to MyZiva, “The Platform for Nursing Facility Management,” as another membership benefit. This joint initiative supports both parties’ missions to work with the nursing home community to enhance quality of care by providing practical technological solutions to the variety of challenges encountered by nursing home professionals.
       MyZiva’s unique Web-based technology and educational resources enable nursing homes to further enhance and improve in-house staff education and training practices. ACHCA members will have unlimited access to over 100 continuously updated courses, educational materials, and resources. Administrators can easily obtain continuing education credits by taking MyZiva online courses. The courses also provide expert guidance on and access to state-specific regulations and statutes as well as regulatory correspondence.
       For more information, visit http://www.achca.org and http://www.myziva.com.