Industry Insider News

University of Chicago Recognized With 3M Award For Excellence in Skin Safety

Officials at 3M (St. Paul, MN) and the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN^®) have announced the success of the “Countdown to Zero” skin-integrity program at the University of Chicago (UChicago) Medicine, which has brought with it the sixth annual 3M Award for Excellence in Skin Safety. The program is being honored for reducing the number of preventable skin injuries (including an 83% reduction in pressure injuries) within the academic medical center serving the South Side of Chicago. Representatives of UChicago Medicine’s skin care team accepted the award at the WOCN Society’s 49th annual conference in Salt Lake City May 20.

The Countdown to Zero program began in 2014 after an analysis of nursing practices and available products was conducted to understand factors contributing to the system’s higher-than-average hospital-acquired pressure injury rate. A monthly auditing program was established to help lower the point prevalence of pressure injuries, incontinence-associated dermatitis, intertriginous dermatitis, and friction injuries.

Pre-program analysis uncovered that some clinicians were unable to distinguish between certain types of skin injuries, which could lead to improper treatment. Therefore, clinician education became a cornerstone of the program. An intensive, yet accessible, education program was created, offering learning opportunities about skin injuries in a variety of formats — new hire orientation, computer-based programs, and in-services. Since the program’s implementation, the medical center has seen reductions in all targeted preventable skin injuries.

“Through our skin care team’s hard work, our preventable skin injury rates continue to improve year over year,” said Susan Solmos, MSN, RN, CWCN, leader of the program. “In fact, we recently met our ultimate goal — recording zero instances of stage II and above pressure injuries in all patients surveyed, which included critically ill adult and pediatric patients — which is incredible. By prioritizing skin integrity education and continuous evaluation, we have been able to enhance our standard of care system-wide in a very tangible way for our patients.”

 The award is made possible by a partnership between the WOCN Society and 3M, who together aim to recognize the most innovative and inspiring individuals or healthcare facilities that have implemented a program to improve patient skin integrity and skin health, officials said.

“UChicago Medicine and its dedicated staff are truly at the forefront of prioritizing, implementing, and sustaining skin injury prevention,” said Leslie McDonnell, vice president of global marketing at 3M. “It’s an honor each year to learn about and acknowledge outstanding facilities like UChicago Medicine that truly understand the importance of skin integrity in patient care.”

In order to win, the program must demonstrate measurable and sustained results that are achieved through prevention, senior leadership engagement, product formulary, and interdisciplinary participation.

“Through this award program partnership with 3M, we’re frequently reminded of the exceedingly profound contributions made by nurses dedicated to pressure injury prevention, because it isn’t an easy task,” said Carolyn Watts, MSN, RN, CWON, president of the WOCN Society. “And we have no doubt that other medical facilities are making significant strides in prioritizing skin integrity as this year we received a record number of award submissions. UChicago Medicine stood out because of its exemplary fulfillment of each requirement, going above and beyond each year of the program, and we commend their team.”

For more information, visit 3M.com/skinaward.

MolecuLight Signs Distribution Agreement With Smith & Nephew

Toronto-based MolecuLight has announced the execution of an exclusive global distribution agreement with the global medical technology company Smith & Nephew to distribute the MolecuLight i:XTM Imaging Device product line, according to officials. The distribution agreement represents an important milestone to expand market access with a highly respected market leader with an established presence across a broad customer base and a deep knowledge of the clinician need, officials said.

''This is a historic day for MolecuLight," said chief executive officer Craig Kennedy. "This partnership further proves our continued commitment to empower clinicians with knowledge allowing them to strengthen their clinical decision-making.''

The device is pending de novo approval in the United States.

EpiFix Gets Coverage From Kaiser Permanente

Officials at MiMedx Group Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing and marketing regenerative biologics utilizing human placental tissue allografts and patent-protected processes for multiple sectors of healthcare, have announced the company’s EpiFix^® product has received coverage from insurer Kaiser Permanente effective April 1, 2017. Founded in 1945 and headquartered in Oakland, CA, Kaiser Permanente is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit health plans. With this coverage decision, the Kaiser 7.4 million commercial members now have coverage for EpiFix, officials said. Kaiser’s medical policy for wound care treatments now includes EpiFix for up to eight applications in 12 weeks when there is evidence of wound healing. Kaiser considers EpiFix medically necessary for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and venous leg ulcers (VLUs). EpiFix is the first and only placental-based product covered by Kaiser for the treatment of DFUs and VLUs.

“We are pleased to have received coverage from Kaiser and to add them to our list of insurers providing access to our dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane allografts for their covered members,” said Parker H. “Pete” Petit, chairman and chief executive officer of MiMedx. “Kaiser joins the broad list of insurers providing coverage, which list already includes major national health plans such as Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, and virtually all of the other Blue Cross/Blue Shield health plans, plus a vast number of regional insurers. With the addition of Kaiser, [more than] 317 million commercial covered lives and Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries now have reimbursement access to EpiFix.”

Avery Dennison Corp. Acquires Wound Care Company

Avery Dennison Corp. (Glendale, CA) has acquired Finesse Medical Ltd., a developer and manufacturer of wound care management and skin conditions, according to officials. Headquartered in Longford, Ireland, Finesse Medical specializes in the development and application of advanced technologies, including skin barrier films and protection creams, and silicone and polyurethane foam wound dressings.

“Finesse Medical is a top quality manufacturer with a strong track record for developing and commercializing effective, high-value products in the medical sector,” said Mitch Butier, Avery Dennison’s president and chief-executive officer. “This acquisition will accelerate the achievement of our long-term strategic and financial goals for our industrial and healthcare materials segment.”

Organogenesis Closes $20 Million Deal With Eastward Capital Partners

Organogenesis Inc. (Canton, MA), a commercial regenerative medicine company that focuses on the field of advanced wound care and surgical biologics, has closed a $20 million financing facility with Eastward Capital Partners, a provider of venture debt and equity financing to technology companies, according to officials.

“We were fortunate to have several choices in a financing partner as we continue to build our balance sheet and our product portfolio to provide the most advanced wound care and surgical biologics solutions to our customers,” said Tim Cunningham, chief financial officer of Organogenesis. “We chose Eastward Capital Partners given their impeccable credentials and stellar reputation, which aligns well with Organogenesis’ core values. Additionally, Eastward Capital Partners has decades of experience financing health technology companies and understands the value our products bring to clinicians and patients.”

Eastward has provided private debt to leading companies in the information technology, communications, new media, and healthcare sectors since 1994.