Innovative HME Retail Product Award Winners Make their Case at Medtrade Spring

LAS VEGAS (March 21, 2014)—The winners of the Innovative HME Retail Product Awards, sponsored by HomeCare magazine, displayed their wares and made their case at Medtrade Spring from March 10-12, 2014, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The biannual awards honored HME products that are particularly suited for retail sale. “There were some really impressive and innovative entries this year,” said Jim Greatorex, owner, Black Bear Medical, Portland, Me, and a member of the judges’ panel. “We had lots of discussion about each entry. We could not decide on five, so we have six this year.” The purpose of the retail awards competition is to promote and recognize products that contribute to providers' bottom lines though cash sales. Attendees at Medtrade Spring were able to view these products in a special section of the New Product Pavilion, sponsored by HomeCare magazine, on the Expo floor in Las Vegas. During a retail panel discussion at Medtrade Spring, representatives from the winning companies made their case to a packed house. The following six companies earned the Innovative HME Retail Product Awards, sponsored by HomeCare magazine, at this year’s Medtrade Spring: • The Rebound Health OTC TENS Unit from BioMedical Life Systems Inc. “The Rebound® Health OTC TENS Unit is a drug-free pain relief device,” said Mariah Griffith, vice president of Sales and Marketing, BioMedical Life Systems Inc., Vista, Calif, at Medtrade Spring. “The FDA is now recommending a tightening of controls on prescription pain medications, and combined with the recent changes to Medicare reimbursement, it is expected that there will be an even larger, under-served market of pain patients seeking alternative and affordable methods of treatment. For HME providers, creating access to new, drug-free pain management products presents a tremendous opportunity.” • The iWalk2.0 Hands Free Crutch from iWalk Free Inc. “The market is there,” said Brad Hunter, director of Business Development, iWALK-FREE, Long Beach, Calif, at Medtrade Spring. “At our booth, we spent a lot of time dispelling myths. If patients have average strength and average balance, they can use the iWalk2.0. Anyone who dispenses knee scooters knows that when patients hit a step, their world ends—not so with the iWalk2.0.” • Metro Walker from Stander Inc. “We get so many testimonials on this product,” said Brandon Birch, micromanager and COO, Stander, Logan, Utah, at Medtrade Spring. “We look forward to helping providers increase their cash sales.” • Bax U Posture Support from Think Healthy Inc. “Bax U Posture Support is affordable—has an L-code [L3650]—and anyone age 12 and up can wear it,” said Romina Ghassemi, DC, founder/inventor and owner of a chiropractic practice in San Pedro, Calif, at Medtrade Spring. “It improves posture and reduces slouching during activities such as texting, sitting, and driving. It is small, lightweight, comfortable, and can be worn discreetly under clothes without anyone knowing you’re wearing a medical device.” • TidyTop from TidyTop “Adult bibs, currently called clothing protectors for the challenged diner, were long overdue for adding dignified style, at a reasonable price,” said Steve Kirby, CIO, TidyTop, Sandpoint, Idaho, at Medtrade Spring. “TidyTop has it all: stain proof; reversible, pocket; comes in four patterns; can be wiped off or machine washed; and includes a tote bag. So many caregivers would love to have something like this. Or business people might want to use this when they stop at a Starbucks drive through to protect their clothes from a coffee spill. This product is an easy turn.” • Serta Perfect Lift Chair Model SR 525 from Pride Mobility Products Corp “We are excited about working with Serta,” said Cy Corgan, director, Strategic Accounts, Pride Mobility Products Corp, at Medtrade Spring. “A lot of this is all about the branding and the comfort, because somebody could be in a lift chair eight hours a day. For providers, we have additional marketing materials to put around the showroom. We have a new, four-sided kiosk.” All entries were judged on their contribution to the quality of life enhancement to users, and how well they would work in a retail environment. Products were also judged on: marketing support provided to suppliers; innovation; functionality; quality/durability; aesthetics/style; environmental sustainability; ease of retail set-up; and pricing. The following is a full list of product entries: • myTap Oral Appliance from Airway Management • Movi M1 Stand Up Transport Wheelchair from Movi Medical • ProTemp Infrared Thermometer from Proactive Medical Products • SoClean 2 CPAP System Sanitizer from Better Rest Solutions (Wellness Products of America) • The Donn-It-On Donning Aid from Assistive Design Concepts • SeQual eQuinox from CAIRE • Carebag Commode Liner by Cleanis • Freedom Chair from Crosswind Concepts • Laveo by Dry Flush • 360 Hot/Cold Therapy Brace from Health Enterprises • Go Go LX4 Wheel Scooter w/CTS Suspension from Pride Mobility Products Corp • Ease Gradient Compression Hosiery by Therafirm Companies wishing to enter their products in the Medtrade 2014 Innovative Retail Awards Contest should contact: Kevin Gaffney, group show director, Medtrade, at (770) 291-546 or kevin.gaffney@emeraldexpo.com.