New Bed Safety Guidelines
The FDA recently released guidelines for reducing the risk of bed entrapment, “Hospital Bed System Dimensional and Assessment Guidance to Reduce Entrapment.” The new guidance identifies entrapment areas and body parts most at risk for entrapment, provides design criteria for manufacturers of new hospital beds, and recommends test methods to assess the conformance of existing hospital bed systems. The guidance defines a hospital bed system, which could be used for patients in acute care, long-term care, or home care settings, as “the bed frame and its components, including the mattress, bed side rails, head and foot board, and any accessories added to the bed.”

Companies such as Graham-Field, Atlanta, are encouraging hospital bed owners to read the guidance at www.fda.gov/cdrh/beds/. The guidance is a collaboration between the FDA and the Hospital Bed Safety Workgroup. DP

SeQual Releases Beta Test Results for Portable Oxygen System
SeQual Technologies Inc, San Diego, has completed the first round of beta testing on its Eclipse Oxygen System. Developed over 5 years at a cost of $12 million, the concentrator (for home oxygen patients) offers pulse and continuous flow for stationary and ambulatory needs. SeQual worked with providers in four cities for a month of testing.

Jim Bixby, CEO, said results exceeded expectations and provided crucial data that will improve the Eclipse for additional beta testing followed by commercial release to select providers. “The Eclipse makes it easy to move around town or the world, without worrying about running out of oxygen,” said Bixby.

The next round of beta testing is being done in 20 US cities. Bixby anticipates completion before summer, followed by official product introduction through select providers around the country.

DeVilbiss Debuts Personal Oxygen Station
Sunrise Medical, Longmont, Colo, has launched the DeVilbiss iFill™ Personal Oxygen Station, designed to allow individuals to fill portable oxygen cylinders in their homes. “The introduction of the iFill is very timely, given recent federal legislation that caps oxygen reimbursement after 36 months,” said Bob Von Kaenel, vice president of marketing, North America. “For home oxygen providers, the DeVilbiss iFill Station provides an opportunity to maintain superior customer service and profitability during these changing times by converting to a non-delivery or limited-delivery business model.” The unit is designed to fill oxygen cylinders only and cannot be used for direct oxygen inspiration.