Why early CPR, accessible AEDs, and bystander confidence are critical in sudden cardiac arrest. It can happen in an instant. A person collapses – the victim of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) – and the clock starts ticking in the race to restore a normal rhythm to the heart. A rescuer armed with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and performing CPR is the victim’s best … [Read more...]
Getting Blood Pressure Right
Why accuracy in BP measurements has never mattered more. When Dr. Thomas Schwieterman talks about blood pressure, he’s really talking about the future of healthcare. As Vice President of Clinical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer at Midmark Corporation, he has seen the impact that a single, seemingly simple measurement can have on the trajectory of chronic disease, … [Read more...]
Cutting Down on Repeat ECGs in Primary Care
Simple workflow improvements — and technology designed to help reduce unnecessary repeats — may save time, resources and patient frustration. Electrocardiograms are among the most frequently performed diagnostic tests in primary care, but they are also repeated far more often than many realize. In a Baxter (formerly Hillrom) study with 101 respondents, the prevalence of … [Read more...]
Clarity at the Heart of Care
From early disease detection to workflow relief, echocardiography’s evolution is giving clinicians sharper insight – and patients clearer answers. Over the past decade, echocardiology has quietly transformed diagnostic confidence in cardiovascular care – often in ways clinicians may not fully recognize. As Jacob Dewees, Clinical Luminary Leader, Cardiovascular Ultrasound at … [Read more...]
Matters of the Heart
Why getting the details right in cardiovascular care – from BP cuffs to ECG leads – makes all the difference in patient outcomes. In cardiovascular care, precision is everything. From the first beat to advanced imaging, small differences in how clinicians measure, interpret, and act on cardiac data can have outsized effects on patient outcomes, clinical efficiency, and … [Read more...]
PAMA is Your Friend
National reimbursement, CMS innovation, and the three elements of value guiding lab sales forward. By Jim Poggi It’s February, and there are a few things you can count on during February each year: Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day and my annual column on the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA). After last year’s column suggesting that PAMA was at a dead end, you … [Read more...]
Industry News
Owens & Minor announces corporate name change to Accendra Health, Inc. Owens & Minor, Inc. announced that it will change its name to Accendra Health, Inc. with an anticipated effective date of Dec. 31, 2025. The name change affects only the name of the parent corporation and is intended to better reflect the company’s strategic direction and future organizational … [Read more...]
Publisher’s letter
Relationships Still Drive Medical Distribution In an industry transformed by technology, trust between distributors and manufacturers remains the most powerful driver of long-term success. While many people associate February with chocolates, cards and reservations made weeks in advance, it is also a perfect time to reflect on the relationships that truly matter in our … [Read more...]
The Year Ahead In Washington
Medical supply chain issues to watch in 2026. By Wyeth Ruthven, Director of Congressional and Public Relations, Health Industry Distributors Association Legislative progress tends to slow down in midterm election years, as both parties prepare to make their case to the voters. Nevertheless, the policy signals emerging from such legislative debates matter for healthcare … [Read more...]