Cytomedix, Inc, Rockville, MD, announced the appointment of Martin P. Rosendale, an industry veteran with more than 25 years' experience in the biotechnology sector, to the newly created position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Cytomedix, Inc, is a biotechnology company specializing in processes and products derived from autologous platelet releasates for use on wounds and other applications. Its current product is the AutoloGel System, a process that uses an autologous platelet gel composed of multiple growth factors, other platelet releasates, and fibrin matrix.
[black up pointing small triangle]Information:http://www.cytomedix.com
ConvaTec, Skillman, NJ, announced that its Flexi-Seal Fecal Management System (FMS), a temporary containment device indicated for immobilized, incontinent patients with liquid or semiliquid stool, has been redesigned for easier use and storage. The improved Flexi-Seal FMS now includes recyclable and recloseable molded plastic packaging that is 25% smaller than the original package size and allows for easy storage of collection bags and syringes; a new blue irrigation port that allows for immediate identification; a relabeled syringe that is precisely marked to 45 mL and measures the exact amount of water or saline necessary; and a smaller, more user-friendly, pocket-size package insert.
[black up pointing small triangle]Information:http://www.convatec.com
ULURU, Inc, Addison, TX, announced that Altrazeal is now commercially available. Altrazeal is the first wound care dressing to be developed from ULURU's nanoparticle aggregate technology, according to the manufacturer. It is a powder hydrogel that in the presence of body fluids rapidly converts to a gel material that fills and seals the wound, promoting an optimal moist healing environment, and reduces the need for multiple dressing changes. The manufacturer noted that the product currently is suited to the burn care market, because of ease of application and removal and the reduced need for dressing changes.
[black up pointing small triangle]Information:http://www.uluruinc.com
Novation, Irving, TX, the leading health care contracting services company of VHA, Inc, University Health System Consortium (UHC) and Provista, LLC, has released the results of its 2008 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Survey. According to the survey, both VHA and UHC members report an increase in MRSA cases. UHC reported highest increase in the emergency department, and VHA saw greatest increase in patients upon admission. The survey found that educating health care workers on the prevention of MRSA is of paramount importance to VHA and UHC member organizations.
[black up pointing small triangle]Information:http://www.novationco.com
The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) has selected the Valley Hospital of Ridgewood, NJ, and Westcare Health System of Sylva, NC, as recipients of the 2008 WOCNCB Employer Recognition Award. The WOCNCB Employer Recognition Award was developed as a means to publicly recognize organizations, facilities, or departments that advocate for, or promote, specialty nursing certification.
"The programs in place at both the Valley Hospital of Ridgewood, NJ, and Westcare Health System of Sylva, NC, to support nurses seeking certification and recognize those that have succeeded truly advance the value of nursing certification," noted Carol Calianno, RN, MSN, CWOCN, financial officer of WOCNCB. Among the criteria necessary to win this award, the organization must document the financial support for certification, organization-wide recognition of achievement of the WOCNCB credentials is published or otherwise communicated, salary recognition is awarded to certified nurses, and WOCNCB credentials are mentioned when recruiting nurse positions, among other things.
[black up pointing small triangle]Information:http://www.wocncb.org
TraumaCure, Inc, Bethesda, Maryland, manufacturers of the hemostatic agent, WoundStat, announced that the company has received international ISO 13485 certification for its quality system for design, development, production, and sales of medical devices. The company received US Food and Drug Administration clearance to sell WoundStat in August 2007. With ISO 13485 certification, TraumaCure meets global quality design and manufacturing requirements.
[black up pointing small triangle]Information:http://www.traumacure.com