HEALTHPOINT Launches Web-Based Portal That Offers Interactive Courses for Wound Care Clinicians

       HEALTHPOINT^® (Fort Worth, Tex) announces the launch of TheWoundInstitute.com^SM, an online source for accredited wound care education designed for both physicians and non-physician clinicians. The site was developed to accommodate the educational preferences and workplace demands of healthcare professionals by allowing clinicians to complete courses at their own pace and register, test, and receive continuing education (CE) or continuing medical education (CME) credits instantly for their course work.
       The formal launch of the site coincided with the 18th Annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care and 15th Annual Medical Research Forum on Wound Repair and followed a 3-month beta testing period that included over 2,400 registrants and the issuing of over 1,500 CE and 325 CME certificates.
       TheWoundInstitute.com (http://www.thewoundinstitute.com) features comprehensive, research-based courses designed to assist healthcare providers in bridging the gap between knowledge and practice. The site currently features 6 courses that provide basic wound care information to practicing clinicians, including:
• Anatomy and Physiology of Skin and Underlying Tissue
• Definition and Etiology of Wounds
• The Wound Healing Process
• Principles of Wound Healing
• Wound Assessment & Documentation
• Treatment Modalities.
       TheWoundInstitute.com will continue to expand its educational offerings in 2005 with courses designed specifically for physicians and advanced practice clinicians. The next course to be added, “The Biology of the Chronic Wound,” is expected to be launched later this year and investigate the pathophysiology and management of chronic wounds, including an exploration of the cellular and biochemical differences between chronic and acute wounds and an examination of prevention and treatment strategies.
       TheWoundInstitute.com brings the value and convenience of internet-based continuing education to the wound care community and is the only online, fully accredited educational site listed on the Advancing the Practice^SM website (http://www.advancingthepractice.org). Advancing the Practice is an interdisciplinary group of healthcare professionals, organizations, and corporations committed to advancing the practice of wound care to improve patient outcomes.
       Visit http://www.healthpoint.com for more information.

New Bariatric Support Surface Puts Premium on Safety

       The new PressureGuard^® APM Bariatric alternating pressure mattress system from Span-America (Greenville, SC) is designed to address the unique safety challenges associated with treating bariatric patients.
       The APM Bariatric incorporates several patented design and safety features that make it especially popular in post-acute care settings. Chief among these is the multi-component Safety Edge^™, a non-collapsing bolster system that provides stability when transferring patients to and from the mattress.
       The powerful control unit features a low-pressure indicator alarm, adjustable cycle times, and selectable comfort settings. The system will support up to 750 lb. It is available in 42”, 48”, and 54” widths.
       Call 800-888-6752 or visit http://www.spanamerica.com for more information.

A New Quarterly Magazine for Caregivers of Family Members with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Illnesses

       From the publishers of ECPN and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America comes Vantage^TM, a new quarterly magazine that provides caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia valuable resources for coping with and caring for these individuals. Topics include home safety, nutrition, family coping skills, medical information, and more in each issue.
       Caregivers may subscribe to Vantage by visiting http://www.AFA-vantage.com or by calling 866-AFA-8484.

RoamAlert System Moves Beyond Perimeter Protection to Include Patient Location, Equipment Tracking, and Staff Distress Alerts

       VeriChip Corporation (Delray Beach, Fla) announces the release of several new modules for RoamAlert™, the company’s next-generation patient wandering protection system currently used in assisted living facilities and nursing homes throughout North America. With the introduction of these new modules, extended care facilities can offer increased levels of patient safety and freedom while saving time and money associated with the tedious task of locating patients who have wandered, equipment that has been misplaced or stolen, and staff that may need immediate assistance.
       The new functionality currently in use with RoamAlert Integrity product installations extends beyond the standard automatic alerting when patients leave or enter pre-defined exits or areas and includes:
• Real-time location of patients and residents
• Facility-defined containment zones for different classes of patient wanderers
• 1-touch distress alerting that enables a quick call for help
• Equipment tracking for the protection and location of common assets, such as wheelchairs, intravenous stands, or expensive multimedia equipment.
       Call 800-667-9689 for more information.

The Posey Perimeter Foam Mattress Cover Protects Against Accidental Falls Without the Need for Side Rails

       The Posey Company (Arcadia, Calif) announces the release of its new Perimeter Mattress Cover, which gives customers an additional option in side rail alternative products and offers a low intervention solution to many of the side rail restraint issues affecting healthcare facilities today.
       The Perimeter Mattress Covers compliment existing Posey products, including the Soft Rails, Roll Guards, and the Bedfellow Positioning Rolls. The 4 wedge-shaped, 4”-high foam sections line the side perimeters of the mattress, providing a gentle reminder to those lying in bed of the mattress edges. The cover promotes a safe sleeping area and helps prevent against accidental falls from the bed, without the need for side rails. Openings in the mid-section allow for easy patient exit and entry and the 8 straps with quick release buckles hold the bed sheets in place and easily secure the cover to the bed.
       For more information or to try the new Posey Perimeter Foam Mattress Cover free for 30 days, contact your Posey distributor, call Posey at 800-44-POSEY, or visit http://www.posey.com.