Transworld Healthcare, New York, recorded a loss of $912,000, or 5 cents a share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2000, compared with net income of $4,000, or break even on a per-share basis, for the same quarter the preceding year. Officials said the results were affected by a one-time charge of $759,000, or 4 cents a share, related to costs associated with the refinancing of the company's former credit facility.

The loss was on revenues for the quarter of $40.3 million, compared with $40.1 million the same quarter the previous year.

In Home Health, Minnetonka, Minn., posted net income of $912,000 for the second quarter ended March 31, compared with net income of $1.4 million the same quarter the year before. Net income available to common shareholders was $262,000, or 5 cents a share, compared with $732,000, or 13 cents a share, the same quarter the previous year. The $262,000 includes the deduction of a preferred stock dividend paid to Manor Care, officials said.

The results were based on earnings of $24.2 million, an increase of 15 percent over $21.1 million the same quarter the previous year. "The reported earnings reflect an improvement in our core operations from the prior year quarter after considering the reimbursement settlements with our fiscal intermediary," said C. Michael Ford, chairman and interim CEO. Ford referred to a $2.2 million settlement last year with the company's fiscal intermediary.

Apria Healthcare, Costa Mesa, Calif., showed positive earnings for the sixth consecutive quarter, reporting net income for the first quarter of 2000 ended March 31 of $12.8 million, or 24 cents a share. For the same quarter a year before, the company earned $9.3 million, or 18 cents a share.

The income last quarter was on net revenues of $250.7 million, compared with net revenues of $228.3 million the same quarter of 1999.

In other news, Apria has reached an agreement with Keene, N.H.-based MedCare Medical Group under which MedCare will provide IV therapy procedural trays for Apria's 28 regional infusion pharmacies. Apria will also use MedCare's HuberLoc Huber Needle Removal and Containment Device.

Horizon Pharmacies, Denison, Texas, posted a loss of $7.5 million, or $1.30 a share, for fiscal year 1999 ended Dec. 31, compared with a loss of $2.2 million, or 43 cents a share, the year before.

The results included a special charge of nearly $3.2 million for nonperforming locations the company expects to sell or close and costs associated with the establishment of a new subsidiary corporation, HorizonScripts.com Inc., a mail order and Internet company, officials said.

For the fourth quarter, the company reported a loss of $7.7 million, or $1.31 a share, compared with a loss of $3 million, or 54 cents a share, the same quarter the previous year.

Interwest Home Medical, Salt Lake City, posted results for the second quarter of fiscal 2000 that reflected an 84 percent increase over the previous year. For the quarter ended March 31, the company reported net income of $760,000, or 19 cents a share, compared with $412,000, or 10 cents a share, for the same quarter of 1999.

Officials attributed the results in part to the acquisition in October of the Denver home oxygen and medical equipment assets of Dallas-based HealthCor Holdings.

"Approximately 21 percent of the revenue growth came from the Denver acquisition," said James E. Robinson, president and CEO, and "16 percent came from internal respiratory revenue growth." Robinson said the company would continue to focus on its core respiratory/oxygen business and would seek more strategic acquisitions "with quality revenue."

Lincare Holdings, Clearwater, Fla., reported net income for the first quarter of 2000 ended March 31 of $27.1 million, or 50 cents a share, compared with net income of $23.5 million, or 40 cents a share, the same quarter in 1999.

Officials said the acquisition of 10 companies during the quarter contributed to the gains. They noted that through acquisitions and internal growth, the company added 18 new operating centers, bringing its number of locations to 447.

Matria Healthcare, Marietta, Ga., recorded net earnings of $4.8 million, or 12 cents a share, for the first quarter ended March 31, compared with net income of $935,000, or 3 cents a share, for the same quarter of 1999.

Officials attributed the results to more efficient operations, a 25 percent growth in earnings in the women's health division and the payoff of $12 million in debt.

In other news, Matria's Quality Diagnostic Services subsidiary has agreed to purchase King of Hearts Express II recorders, which are multichannel cardiac event recorders, from Alaris Medical Systems' Instromedix Division. The companies will work together to develop the market for multichannel arrythmia monitoring, they said.