Nonin Medical's New COPD STEP™ Plan Designed to Reduce Hospital Readmissions, Improve Patient Outcomes and Quality of Life

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Nonin Medical,^® the inventor of fingertip pulse oximetry and a leader in noninvasive medical monitoring, announced today that it has partnered with Tri-anim^® Health Services to bring Nonin's new COPD STEP™ (Seamless Treatment and Exacerbation Prevention) Plan to U.S. hospitals, starting this month.

The plan is designed to help hospitals reduce COPD-related readmissions and costs while improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Tri-anim will offer the plan, which includes Nonin's GO₂^® personal pulse oximeter, under its Curaplex^® brand. Nonin made the announcement at the 2015 American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) Congress in Tampa, Fla.

The Nonin COPD STEP Plan was developed by leading pulmonologists Brian Carlin, MD, and Brian Tiep, MD, and respiratory therapists Trina Limberg, RRT, MAACVPR, and Bob McCoy, RRT, FAARC. The plan is based on successful COPD treatment and management programs that these panel members already have in practice.

"Most hospitals have programs to treat the acute aspects of COPD, but post-discharge programs supporting the chronic disease aspects tend to fall short," said Nonin Medical Vice President of Sales, Rick Eagle. "Nonin's COPD STEP Plan addresses both the acute treatment and chronic management aspects of the disease by providing a seamless transitional care plan from hospital to home to clinic."

"November is National COPD Awareness Month and Nonin's COPD STEP Plan is just the latest example of our shared commitment to providing value-added products and programs that reduce costs and make a positive impact on patient care," said Tri-anim Health Services Vice President of Marketing, Fred Hunter.

Nonin Medical's COPD STEP Plan includes a four-pillar approach:

• Care-team Alignment – Full alignment between hospital administration and clinical staff, a trained hospital COPD coordinator, coordination with the primary physician and full patient participation in care
• In-patient  Hospital Care Plan – Accurate diagnosis and treatment, and in-patient training on home equipment and Daily Rituals using the "teach back" method
• Outpatient Home Care Plan – "Daily Rituals" activity plan, rapid access to the clinician for patients experiencing signs of exacerbation or relapse, and patient contact post discharge as needed to assurance plan and medication adherence
• Home-Care Devices – Home oxygen (including lightweight portable oxygen), a pulse oximeter, an airway clearance device and an MDI spacer, as needed

"We have learned that COPD can be better managed by using a patient-centered model that works across the care continuum," said Brian Carlin, MD, past president of American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) and participant in a pilot project that reduced COPD 30-day readmissions from an average of 23% to 5% following intervention.¹ "This typically includes using a higher quality, accurate personal pulse oximeter at home to monitor blood oxygen saturation and heart rate."

Accurate pulse oximeter readings, such as those provided by Nonin's GO₂ pulse oximeter, give patients the knowledge and confidence to be active, titrate their oxygen therapy under physician guidance and recognize the onset of an exacerbation.

COPD, a debilitating lung disease, is the third-leading cause of death worldwide with the prevalence increasing as baby boomers reach the prime age for disease manifestation.² In the U.S., 20 percent of patients who are hospitalized for COPD flare-ups are re-admitted within 30 days³, representing a significant cost for most U.S. hospitals using the current care models. It is so significant, that the Affordable Care Act now financially penalizes facilities that exceed a predetermined threshold of readmissions within 30 days. In fiscal year 2015, more than 78 percent of U.S. hospitals were fined for their readmission performance related to COPD.⁴

For a free white paper and more information about the Nonin Medical COPD Step™ Plan, visit Nonin booth #608 or Tri-anim booth #227 at the AARC Congress, Nov. 7-9, at the Tampa Convention Center.

About Nonin Medical, Inc.
Nonin Medical, Inc. invented the finger pulse oximeter and is a leader in designing and manufacturing noninvasive medical monitoring solutions that meet customers' technology needs today and tomorrow. Headquartered in Plymouth, Minn., USA, with an additional customer service center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Nonin Medical sells its pulse and regional oximeters, capnographs, sensors and software to health professionals and consumers in more than 125 countries. The company also has more than 200 OEM partners worldwide. For more information, visit www.nonin.com.

About Tri-anim Health Services, Inc.
Tri-anim is a specialty healthcare supplier that provides innovative products paired with clinical expertise for hospitals and advanced patient-care facilities. With over 30 years of experience, Tri-anim understands the business of healthcare and offers value-oriented programs designed to improve patient care and maximize operational efficiencies. Combined with a fast and reliable supply chain, nationwide sales support, in-service training and one-call customer care, Tri-anim specializes in healthcare excellence. Tri-anim is owned by Sarnova, Inc., the nation's leading specialty distributor of healthcare products in the respiratory and emergency medical services markets. For more information, visit www.tri-anim.com.

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SOURCE Nonin Medical, Inc.

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