In brief: Owens & Minor invests in DT, Samsung partners with Stanford, Alabama fights PBMs

RICHMOND, Va. – Owens & Minor expects to achieve greater efficiencies for its Products & Healthcare Services business and improved customer service with new investments in technology, automation and analytics. 

Initial roll out will focus on two new Owens & Minor distribution centers in West Virginia and South Dakota. 

“Over the past two years, our P&HS teammates have worked creatively and diligently to identify areas where technology investments, operational upgrades and new approaches to how we do business could have a meaningful impact for our customers,” said Andy Long, executive vice president and CEO, Products & Healthcare Services, Owens & Minor. “We’re excited for these advancements to go live in West Virginia and South Dakota and look forward to the benefits they will provide for other Owens & Minor customers in years to come.” 

These new capabilities will be operational at the two new centers starting in 2025: 

• A new state of the art distribution center with advanced automation and robotics technology to help streamline and expedite inventory management and order fulfilment in West Virginia (now open) 
• A second state of the art distribution center in South Dakota that will integrate the latest augmented reality (AR) system for supporting the order picking process (opening spring 2025). 

Related: Owens & Minor has been engaged in conversations to sell the Products & Healthcare Services business. 

United Spinal launches tech guide 

NEW YORK – United Spinal Association has launched a digital Tech Access Product Guide, a crowd-sourced database of products designed to make life easier for people with physical disabilities, ranging from spinal cord injuries to age-related arthritis. The guide offers something for consumers from all backgrounds within the disability community. Highlights of the guide include:  

• Meal prep and eating: Electric can openers, easy-to-hold utensils and adaptive cutting boards are a few of the featured tools to make cooking and eating easier. 
• Electronics: Gamers will enjoy the collection of controllers and adaptive computer mice. Also featured are ergonomic keyboards, phone holders and charging stations. 
• Home management: Smart thermostats, voice-controlled devices and keyless-entry smart locks may make your home snugger, safer and under your control. 
• Recreation and leisure: From a nail holder for a hammer to crafting tools, this category is the place to search for items to make your hobbies easier and more enjoyable. 

The guide also gives special attention to wheelchair accessories, wheelchair add-ons, mobility aids, self-care and mobility aids. The Product Guide is the latest contribution from United Spinal’s Tech Access Initiative, which now has half a decade of experience advocating for the rights and interests of consumers with mobility disabilities in the tech industry and representing the disability community’s voice during all stages of the product development process. 

NHIA conference wraps up 

WASHINGTON – The National Home Infusion Association says its annual conference, March 29-April 2, saw increased attendance and 150 companies participating in its expo. Highlights and developments from the conference include: 

• The first-ever Infusion Suite Experience, which led more than 350 attendees through six stations in a simulated infusion suite on the show floor. This interactive learning opportunity asked attendees to identify deficiencies and then reviewed the applicable infusion suite standards. 
• New trendlines and insights on the future of the infusion market and the NHIA’s key initiatives, including an analysis of claims data showing areas of growth, such as immune globulins—the fastest growing category in home infusion therapy—as well as areas for future advocacy efforts. For example, the decreasing number of providers working in parenteral nutrition (16% per year) and increasing cost of preparing the formula (200% over the past 8 years) are the basis for the association’s commercial payor outreach and exploration of value-based care models. 
• Medicare Advantage plans, a growing segment of the payor mix for anti-infectives (14.5% in 2022 compared to 19% in 2024) underscores the need for revamped home infusion coverage as outlined in the newly reintroduced Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act.  

Related: NHIA annual conference: Deep dives, immersive experience and insider view  

Samsung, Stanford to collaborate on sleep health solution 

STANFORD, Calif. – Samsung Electronics and Stanford University will partner on a research project with Stanford Medicine for a health solution based on Samsung’s obstructive sleep apnea feature on its Galaxy Watch, which has received de novo authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Led by professor Robson Capasso as principal investigator and professor Clete Kushida as co-principal investigator, the joint study is designed to explore potential ways to further enhance Samsung’s sleep apnea feature, which detects signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, to better support sleep health through timely interventions. “This collaboration with Stanford Medicine will combine our deep technological expertise with Stanford’s leading research capabilities to unlock new innovation in preventive care,” said Dr. Hon Pak, senior vice president and head of the Digital Health Team, Mobile eXperience Business, Samsung Electronics. “Together, we aim to move beyond screening to also provide more meaningful daily support that helps people better understand and manage their sleep health.” Efforts will focus on going beyond detection by leveraging AI technology for daily monitoring to sleep apnea management, empowering users with the best possible sleep tools to improve their health. The sleep apnea feature also has approval by Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.  

• Related: Wearables are a benefit – ‘full stop.’ 

Study: Oxygen delivery systems need ‘person-centered’ approach 

CHICAGO – Supplemental oxygen therapy should follow a person-centered approach that empowers patients and caregivers; helps patients improve independence and quality of life by optimizing function, mobility, and social well-being; weighs benefits and burdens; and engages in shared decision-making when the evidence is unclear, according to a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Whether supplemental oxygen improves symptoms or function in patients with isolated severe exertional desaturation remains inconclusive, prompting an individualized approach and exertional oxygen testing if a patient is mobile and reporting exertional symptoms, the study says. Most studies of supplemental oxygen have been conducted in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with limited high-quality data in other cardiopulmonary conditions, yet data strongly support supplemental oxygen therapy in people with severe resting desaturation (oxygen saturation [SpO2] of 88% or less), with demonstrated improvement in mortality. This informs a person-centered supplemental oxygen framework to help patients minimize loss of independence and improve quality of life across the following domains: (1) health care values and preferences; (2) functional status, mobility, and frailty; (3) cognition and supplemental oxygen education; (4) physical symptoms; (5) psychological and social impact; and (6) caregiver support.  

Alabama passes PBM reform bill 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Alabama House of Representatives has unanimously passed SB252, a bill that would support independent pharmacies statewide by creating more transparency and limiting the power of pharmacy benefit managers. The “Community Pharmacy Relief Act,” which was already approved by the Senate on March 20, was introduced by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, and Rep. Phillip Rigsby, R-Huntsville, a pharmacist. Rigsby told the Alabama Political Reporter that the bill addresses concerns over the business practices of pharmacy benefit managers who act as intermediaries between pharmacies, health insurers and drug manufacturers. Since the beginning of this year alone, Alabama has lost 10 local pharmacies, according to the article. Nationally, pharmacy stakeholders have been raising alarms on PBMs. In January, Hugh Chancy, former president of the National Community Pharmacists Association testified in support of PBM reforms during a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.   

Belluscura withdraws guidance 

LONDON – Belluscura has withdrawn their previous market guidance for the current year ending Dec. 31, 2025, because of the potential financial implications, risks and opportunities of tariffs on imports to the United States. The company is currently assessing, in particular, the 54% tariff (previously 20%) for goods imported from China, in which a significant proportion of the company's portable oxygen concentrators, raw materials and component parts are currently manufactured. Belluscura says it expects to make a further announcement once it has been able to better assess the situation, including possible subsequent developments. 

• Related: In late 2024, Belluscura entered into a joint venture with Separation Design Group and an undisclosed major medical device company to develop oxygen-based wound care solutions. 

VGM releases cybersecurity playbook 

WATERLOO, Iowa — VGM & Associates has released “The Ultimate Cybersecurity Handbook: Prevention, Detection, and Response,” an exclusive resource specifically focused on helping VGM members protect their businesses from cyber threats. This resource closely examines pressing cybersecurity issues, offering an in-depth report that examines real-world examples of attacks, their impact on patient care, practical prevention steps and a roadmap for building stronger security in clinical environments. Also included is an extensive cybersecurity checklist to use in protecting businesses, employees and patients. “Cybersecurity is an increasingly critical concern for all businesses today, and we wanted to equip our VGM members with the knowledge and tools needed to maintain resilience against today’s most pressing cyber threats,” said Mandi Rodgers, vice president of marketing. “That is why we have compiled these essential resources, filled with practical steps and actionable takeaways from key players in the cybersecurity space throughout the industry, including ProCircular, VGM Forbin and VGM Insurance. VGM is here to support our members and our vendor partners, ensuring they are well-equipped to safeguard their businesses, and we believe this resource achieves that goal.” Members can download their copy at vgm.com/playbook or by logging in to the VGM members-only portal and downloading it from the Playbook tab.  

• In February, VGM released “VGM Playbook: Forecasting 2025.” 

NSM receives Joint Commission accreditation 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — National Seating & Mobility has again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Home Care Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care. "NSM is honored to receive the Home Care reaccreditation from The Joint Commission," said Crispin Teufel, NSM CEO. "This recognition reaffirms our unwavering commitment to the health and safety of our clients as we strive to deliver the mobility solutions they need to live independently. As the only national CRT provider accredited by The Joint Commission since 2006, we remain dedicated to upholding the highest quality standards while advocating for excellence across the industry." To maintain accreditation, NSM undergoes a thorough evaluation every three years that includes unannounced onsite reviews at locations nationwide. During these visits, a team of The Joint Commission reviewers assess compliance with home care standards across various areas such as care delivery, treatment and services, emergency preparedness, human resources, patient rights and leadership. The surveyors also conduct onsite observations and interviews.  

Red Sky Health launches claims management solution 

NEW YORK – Red Sky Health has launched Daniel, a proprietary AI-solution that the company says helps health care providers recover earned revenue by identifying the root causes of claims errors, fixing them in real time and resubmitting claims. The solution also automates denials analysis by identifying the reason behind the rejection and fixes it in real time. Once corrected, the solution then automatically resubmits the remediated claim to the insurance company on behalf of the provider, which helps them recapture money from claims that were previously denied. “With more than $4.5 trillion in insurance claims each year, healthcare denials can have a significant impact on a provider's revenue cycle,” said Jai Pillai, COO. “The time it takes to be reimbursed is also increasing, as 84% of health care organizations said they would make reducing denied claims a top priority. Unlike other offerings, Daniel uses advanced AI algorithms so our customers can view the recommendations to remediate the denials. Using large denial datasets as inputs to our proprietary algorithms, Daniel programmatically makes corrections to denied claims and resubmits corrected claims to the payer to optimize revenue recovery.” This latest news follows closely on the heels of the Red Sky’s recently announced and oversubscribed seed funding round, a clear indication the company says that its solution addresses the staggering amount of insurance claims that are denied annually, costing providers an estimated $262 billion in lost revenue.