Over the past few years there has been a movement underway by cms, the centers for medicare & medicaid services, formerly hcfa
National Home Oxygen Patients Association
Four POCs Added to FAA list
Effective January 6, 2010, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has added four new portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) to the list of approved devices. The newly added devices are the DeVilbiss iGO, International BioPhysics Corp. LifeChoice, Inogen One G2, and the Oxlife Independence Oxygen Concentrator. The FAA has determined that these devices in conjunction with those already approved are safe to carry on aircrafts as long as certain conditions are met. This brings the total number of POCs devices on the approved list to 11.
Approved Portable Oxygen Concentrators for Use Aboard Aircraft Manufacturer System
International Biophysics Corporation LifeChoice OxLife LLC
Of note, in the future, the FAA plans to issue a proposed notice for public comment on the establishment of performance-based standards for all POCs
NHOPA Vice President Robert Keith Passes Away The following is the obituary from the Washington Post for current NHOPA Vice President Robert Keith. Bob was a big advocate and supporter of NHOPA. He will be missed.
Robert C. Keith, 78, a former editor at the Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service, died Feb. 23 of emphysema at his home in Baltimore.
Mr. Keith joined The Washington Post as an editor at its news service in 1963. He became director of the news service in 1975 and retired in 1977, after a heart attack.
Robert Charles Keith was born in Detroit and learned to sail on the Great Lakes. He served in the Navy during the Korean War and was a graduate of the University of Michigan. Before joining The Post, he was the founding editor of Africa Report and Ocean World magazines and news editor of Congressional Quarterly. In the late 1970s, he lived on a skipjack while writing "Baltimore Harbor, a Picture History." He also edited "The Jim Richardson Boat Book," a collection of interviews with a Chesapeake boat builder. Mr. Keith owned and captained a historic oyster boat, which he donated to the Living Classrooms Foundation for use by students in Anacostia. He was a member of a Baltimore advisory council on light-rail transit.
FDA Drug Safety Communication: New safety requirements for long-acting inhaled
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They
asthma medications called Long-Acting
work by relaxing muscles in the airway and
Beta-Agonists (LABAs)
lungs. This helps patients breathe easier, and
The following is taken in part from the FDA safety communication titled FDA Drug Safety
shortness of breath. The new recommendations
Communication: New safety requirements for
only apply to the use of LABAs in the treatment
long-acting inhaled asthma medications called
Long-Acting Beta-Agonists (LABAs). This entire
The FDA has determined that the benefits of
LABAs in improving asthma symptoms outweigh
the potential risks when used appropriately with
an asthma controller medication in patients who
ARC website need the addition of LABAs. FDA believes the (mation.
Due to safety concerns, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is requiring changes to Additional Information for Patients how long-acting inhaled medications called • Long-Acting Beta Agonists (LABAs) do not Long-Acting Beta-Agonists (LABAs) are used in
the treatment of asthma. These changes are
Patients should always have a rescue inhaler,
based on FDA's analyses of studies showing an
such as an albuterol inhaler, to treat sudden
increased risk of severe exacerbation of asthma
symptoms, leading to hospitalizations in •
pediatric and adult patients as well as death in
LABAs must never be taken alone for the
some patients using LABAs for the treatment of asthma.
• Patients who need a LABA plus an asthma
controller medication that is not available as a
combination product should work with their
products (Serevent and Foradil) and as an
healthcare professionals to ensure that each
ingredient in combination products containing
individual medication is taken correctly.
inhaled corticosteroids (Advair and Symbicort)
• Patients should read the Medication Guide for
National Home Oxygen Patients Association
• Patients should talk with their healthcare
professional to learn the warning signs of
The National Home Oxygen Patients Association is
• Patients should discuss any questions they
devoted exclusively to improving the lives of people
across the country who require supplementary oxygen on a regular basis.
Publication of the NHOPA monthly newsletter is
To ensure the safe use of these products:
possible through a generous grant from the American Association for Homecare.
• The use of LABAs is contraindicated without
Executive Committee
the use of an asthma controller medication
such as an inhaled corticosteroid. Single-
medication; they should not be used alone.
Newsletter Editor Stephanie Diehl, RRT
• LABAs should only be used long-term in
New Products and Information
patients whose asthma cannot be adequately
As a reminder, information on new
controlled on asthma controller medications.
products/companies/websites is provided for informational purposes only. NHOPA does not
• LABAs should be used for the shortest specifically endorse ANY products. Contact your
duration of time required to achieve control of
physician for further information regarding your
asthma symptoms and discontinued, if healthcare or the specific company for product possible, once asthma control is achieved. information. Research for specific information on website is the responsibility of the individual.
Patients should then be maintained on an asthma controller medication.
Health hotline: The National Library of Medicine (healthhotlines.nlm.nih.gov) offers an
Pediatric and adolescent patients who require
online database of health-related organizations
the addition of a LABA to an inhaled operating toll-free telephone services. The
corticosteroid should use a combination product
database includes information on services and
containing both an inhaled corticosteroid and a
publications available in Spanish. It is
LABA, to ensure compliance with both searchable by key words or by subject.
Does COPD Run in Your Family? The Four Ways to Save on Medications
Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan
Information excerpted from AARC article Chicago has established a website for persons “Helping Medicare-eligible Patients Get the to receive information on if COPD runs in a Medications They Need” by Mary Hart, RRT,
requires a person to register in order to receive information. The Association may be contacted
1. Switch to generic: Talk with your doctor
about the medications you are currently taking to find out if there are generic or less
New Cannulas:
expensive brand-name drugs that would be
as effective. Cost-savings information on released to the market. The Oxyview Smart these and the use of mail-order pharmacies Nasal Cannula by Ingen Technologies, has a
can be found in the Prescription Drug Plan
built in flow meter near the patient's chest for
24/7 viewing. Flow can be observed immediately if a kink occurs or any problem
2. Explore charitable programs: National and
where the flow would not reach the individual.
have programs that can assist patients with
drug costs. Information on programs can be
The EverestNasal Cannula is the first commercially available 100% silicon oxygen 3. Look into pharmaceutical assistance cannula. It is non-allergic, soft even in very cold programs: Many of the major drug weather, does not smell of plastic and
manufacturers are offering assistance guaranteed for at least one year. Made from
programs for persons enrolled in the medical grade silicon, it is specifically for
Medicare Part D. Information on these patients on long-term oxygen therapy
programs can be found at Medicare’s experiencing irritations, inflammations, or other
Pharmaceutical Assistance Program website
cannulas. Some disadvantages are that it is
Ask about state pharmaceutical louder than a normal PVC cannula (comparable assistance programs: 21 states and one
to the sound of a refrigerator running in the
U.S. territory offer assistance with paying
background), has a length of only 1.2 meters
drug plan premiums and/or other drug costs.
(47.2 inches) and weighs somewhat more than
Find out about your state by visiting PVC cannulas. More information is in a press Medicare’s State Pharmaceutical Assistance
National Home Oxygen Patients Association 8618 Westwood Center Drive, Suite 210 Vienna, VA 22182-2222 Congratulations!
Congratulations to Roxlyn Cole and the COPD + team. On Feb. 28, 2010 they along with some 2,000 persons participated in the ALA Climb for Air fund raiser. This was a stair climb challenge up the Denver, CO Republic Bank building. 56 flights 1,098 steps and 1,769 finishers with the COPD+ team all finishing. They came in 88th out of 121 teams! Roxlyn, team leader and Mike McBride both climb with oxygen making the trek up a little more challenging. Lyn finished with a time of 29:25! Congrats to all!!
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T O N Y W I G H T G A L L E R Y 845 West Washington Boulevard | Chicago 60607 | t. 312.492.7261 | [email protected] Dannielle Tegeder American, b. 1971 Lives and works in New York EDUCATION MFA School of the Art Institute of Chicago BFA State University of New York at Purchase Amsterdam School of Fine Arts, The Netherlands Arrangements to Ward Off Accidents, Priska C. Juschka Fine
A fever is alarming for parents. The heat radiating off of your child’s forehead is hot enough to boil water, and he is listless, not himself. Take a deep breath. How are you taking his temperature? Between the age 0-3months, we prefer that you take his temperature rectally. What was that? Yes, you can do this! Take a digital thermometer, add some petroleum jelly to the tip of it and insert it
National Home Oxygen Patients Association
Four POCs Added to FAA list