I got off the phone yesterday with my 85-year old mother following her fifth Facebook training exercise. Only now can I say I feel she might find this interesting after all.
Home Healthcare
Hospital hack exposes more than 2,000 patient records
MASSDEVICE ON CALL — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is trying to make up for the exposure of more than 2,000 patients’ personal information that was hacked from a hospital computer.
The hospital told reporters that a computer repair vendor, who remains unnamed, failed to restore the computer’s security settings after servicing the machine. The computer was later found to have contracted a virus that snagged patient files and sent them to an unknown recipient.
Endoscopy goes to the multi-billion dollar dogs
MASSDEVICE ON CALL — Solos Endoscopy Inc. (PINK:SNDY) announced that it has launched its revamped veterinary product line of endoscopic equipment, scopes and instruments.
Veterinary endoscopy involves minimally invasive techniques for performing procedures through natural holes in the body rather than through large incisions.
The American Pet Products Assn. estimates that consumers spent more than $45 billion on pets in 2009, and more than $12 billion was on veterinary care.
Republican plans for Medicare privatization may not affect individuals 55 and older, but younger?
Republicans are getting attacked at their spring break Town Hall meetings over their plans to privatize Medicare and turn it into a voucher program. But they seem to be getting traction with one response, which reflects the political jujitsu contained in Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) plan. Here’s what Rep. Lou Barletta, a Republican from Pennsylvania, told the New York Times:
Invacare’s double-digit growth bests Wall St.’s predictions
Home health products maker Invacare Corp.’s (NYSE:IVC) fourth-quarter adjusted earnings beat Wall Street analysts’ expectations, thanks to organic sales growth and reduced interest expenses.
For the full year of 2010, the company reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.84, its third consecutive year of double-digit earnings growth.
Burning beds warning letter poses Invacare long-term pain
For most medical device companies, the occasional warning letter from the Food & Drug Administration is just a minor annoyance, another part of doing business.
The FDA letters, which are published on the agency’s website, typically cite failures in record-keeping and manufacturing processes that are quickly corrected by companies and forgotten by everyone else.
Cardinal Health wins FTC approval for $1.3 billion Kinray buyout
Cardinal Health Inc. (NYSE:CAH) has received federal regulatory clearance to move ahead with its $1.3 billion purchase of New York-area drug and home healthcare products distributor Kinray Inc.
Cardinal expects to close the deal “shortly,” according to a statement from the medical products and drug distributor in Dublin, Ohio.
Mal Mixon, a Midwestern medtech magnate
They don’t make corporate executives like A. Malachi “Mal” Mixon III anymore.
The outspoken former CEO of Elyria, Ohio-based Invacare Corp. (NYSE:IVC) is known for his straight talk, hard-charging style, conservative political leanings — and the occasional fondness for whiskey.
Former security chief Gen. James Jones rejoins Invacare board
Former national security advisor Gen. James Jones joined the board of Invacare Corp. (NYSE:IVC), replacing departing Ohio governor-elect John Kasich effective Dec. 1.
Invacare’s Mixon passes torch to Blouch
Invacare Corp. (NYSE:IVC) CEO A. Malachi Mixon III, a name synonymous with the company since he bought it with his life savings in 1979, is stepping down from his chief executive post but will stay on as chairman.
NxStage Medical reels in $66 million in stock offering
NxStage Medical Inc. (NSDQ:NXTM) grossed $66.1 million from the sale of 3.2 million shares of its common stock.
The Lawrence, Mass.-based home hemodialysis products maker sold the shares for $20.65 each, according to a filing with the federal Securities & Exchange Commission. NXTM shares, which closed at $21.38 yesterday, were trading at $20.67 in early-afternoon activity, down 3.4 percent.