HIDA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

HIDA: The Voice for Distributors Throughout COVID-19

HIDA has been driving legislation and collaborating

with policymakers and other stakeholders to ensure that medical products distributors are included in the nation’s pandemic response. HIDA’s work on the issue during 2020 is highlighted below.

Driving Legislation on Capitol Hill In the U.S. House

February: HIDA works with Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) on a letter to her colleagues advocating emergency preparedness funding April: Rep. Dingell and Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) introduce the Medical Supplies for Pandemics Act (H.R. 6531), which includes HIDA’s proposals May: HIDA’s language included in the Heroes Act, which the House passes July: H.R. 6531 is included in the Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act, H.R. 7574 August: House Republicans include HIDA proposals in their Second Wave Project for U.S. pandemic response

In the U.S. Senate

May: HIDA proposals are included in bipartisan legislation, S. 3827 June/July: HIDA policies are included in Sen. Lamar Alexander’s pandemic preparedness bill, S. 4231, based on his earlier released white paper also referencing HIDA’s work

Advocating with Federal Agencies

February: HIDA provides input with the Department of Health and Human Services, Strategic National Stockpile, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on product demand and availability. March: U.S. Trade Representative provides tariff relief for critical personal protective equipment (PPE) April: HIDA and the American Health Care Association co-sign a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) highlighting the urgent PPE needs of post-acute providers. May: HIDA President & CEO Matthew J. Rowan advocates at FEMA meeting for broad industry inclusion to distribute pandemic supplies under Section 708 of the Defense Production Act September: HIDA testifies before International Trade Commission on pandemic supply chain issues

Educating Policymakers

June/July: 6,500 emails to House and Senate staff highlighting policy positions and educating the trusted role of distribution July: HIDA Board Chair Chris Fagnani of Lynn Medical testifies before House Small Business Committee on supply chain resiliency July: HIDA President & CEO presents PPE demand projections to Defense Department conference August: HIDA white paper “A More Robust Supply Chain” amplifies distributors as trusted partners in pandemic response

Working in the States

April/May: HIDA engages with states that were proposing policies to commandeer PPE located within their state borders June: HIDA and AdvaMed advocate jointly for industry inclusion in purchasing consortium for pandemic supplies July: HIDA provides input to National Governors Association’s Second Wave document August: HIDA works with stakeholders on recommendations to states for stockpile management and distribution September: HIDA recommendations added to California stockpile legislation, signed into law

Everyone Counts

Heather Ruszin finds time for everyone – from her customers and vendors to children and families in need.

By Laura Thill

What began as an after-school part-time job eventually led to a passionate lifetime career for Heather Ruszin.

The owner of Stellar Health Services and a longtime volunteer at Media, Pennsylvania-based Every Child Counts, Ruszin has always been drawn to helping those in need.

Heather Ruszin and her husband

“My sophomore year of high school, I took a parttime job at our local drug store to help my mom – a single mother of four – pay the bills,” she recalls. “I quickly became aware of how important it is to help others – especially the elderly.” During college, she took a full-time position with a closed-door pharmacy, working closely with nursing home patients.

In the years that followed, Ruszin gained additional experience in retail, long-term care, hospital care and medical billing. Then, in 2000, she met Brian Steltz, a licensed pharmacist and owner of King of Prussia Pharmacy Services (KPPS), while covering a shift for a home infusion company. “Given our combined experience, we agreed that if we could secure a contract with a nursing home, I would come work for Brian’s company,” she says. Not long afterward, she discovered a nursing home looking for a new pharmacy provider. “We set up a meeting with the director of nursing, signed a pharmacy contract one week later, and I joined KPPS. Today, KPPS continues to service that nursing home.”

KPPS was the first of several pharmaceutical ventures for Ruszin. Together with Steltz, she co-founded Stellar Pharmacy Services in 2013. Stellar Pharmacy Services delivers point-of-care education and medications (including asthma, family planning/Long-Acting Reversible contraception (LARC), NARCAN® nasal spray for opioid overdoses, as well as other medications) to patients in physician offices, clinics and hospitals. A unique company, Stellar Pharmacy Services is known to deliver pointof-care medications using a high-tech patented dispensing system called the XpeDose™ machine – a secure unit that allows providers to obtain, administer or educate patients in the doctor’s office/clinic/hospital on how to use medications. “Stellar developed the XpeDose™ unit and technology in 2013 when a managed care organization in Pennsylvania asked us to pilot its point-of-care asthma program,” Ruszin explains. The ability to teach patients how to administer their medication in the doctor’s office or hospital can help prevent return trips or, worse, emergency hospital visits, she points out. “For instance, we can ensure asthmatic children know how to use their inhalers or nebulizers before they leave the doctor’s office,” she says, noting there’s nothing scarier than for parents to witness their children being unable to breathe and racing them to the ER.

“Running these companies has required round-theclock dedication to my staff and customers, 365 days each year,” she says. “In addition, I’ve had to learn how to balance my family life. I’ve had some great mentors through the years and it’s been a blessing to have helped so many people these past 30 years.”

Changes and challenges

In her early days as a business owner in the pharmaceutical industry, Ruszin faced her share of challenges. In fact, it used to be difficult for small distributors to secure product contracts, she says. “When I launched my family planning business, I was denied three times,” she recalls. “But, I didn’t give up, and in 2017, I was approved to carry family planning medication and could offer a full array of solutions for women.” This was a great step forward, given how important it is for patients to have a choice in their care and the products they use, she notes. “By giving patients a choice, and then educating them on the products and how to use them while they’re still at the doctor’s office or the hospital, we can prevent return visits and wasted time,” she says. “When you believe in yourself and refuse to give up, you’ll see the reward is worth the hard work!”

Securing product lines is only half the battle, of course. Growing a strong client base is equally important. “The most important strategy I have relied on to stay connected with my customers has been to establish – and build – long-lasting relationships, and to be committed to the patients and their outcomes,” she says. “Being accessible and dependable are key. I give my phone number out to everyone and let them know I am available 24/7. It’s also important to be genuine and sincere so that clients and vendors alike can remain confident they can rely on me both professionally and personally.”

Every Child Counts

Fifteen years ago, Ruszin and her husband were looking forward to moving into a new home, in time to welcome their firstborn child who was due soon afterward. Their dreams quickly turned into what could have been a nightmare, had it not been for an astute nurse and an attentive pediatrician.

“Our son, JJ, arrived a few weeks early (before they could move into their new home, due to an unforeseen delay). “Our first pediatric appointment was scheduled for 10 days following his birth. Soon after leaving the hospital, I noticed he wasn’t very active and called the pediatrician’s office to see if I could move up JJ’s first office visit. The office staff told me not to worry – that I was a typical new mom and I should keep my scheduled appointment.”

Fortunately, Ruszin had a home visit scheduled with a nurse the following day. “As soon as the nurse saw JJ, I could tell by the look in her eyes that something wasn’t right,” she says. “The nurse asked me for the name of our pediatrician, Dr. Messam, who took care of him in the hospital, and immediately called her office.” Based on the nurse’s observation, Dr. Messam ordered a bilirubin test. “Shortly afterward, the nurse called to instruct me to meet Dr. Messam on the pediatric floor. Due to his high bilirubin levels, JJ needed to be admitted immediately for phototherapy. The effects of bilirubin toxicity are often devastating and irreversible, so for JJ, we had to react quickly. Because we all worked together, JJ’s levels dropped and he was discharged a few days later – a healthy baby boy.”

Since then, despite the hour-long drive there and back, Ruszin’s family has stayed with Dr. Messam’s practice. Furthermore, they have been active in family charities, including the pediatrician’s non-profit, Every Child Counts. “Since our scare with JJ, my family has been contributing to children and families in need,” she says. “When Dr. Messam founded Every Child Counts, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of children from birth to 18 years old living in high risk situations, she asked me to be the vice president. I gladly accepted and have been honored to be part of such an amazing team for many years.

Every Child Counts collects donations and applies for annual grant money to support four programs: ʯ New Beginning. ECC partners with Wesley House Emergency Shelter in Chester, Pennsylvania, to provide Welcome Kits for families who are seeking emergency shelter at this facility. The kits/supplies are helpful to the families when they move to transition homes and, eventually, more permanent housing. ʯ Helping Hands at Holidays. The program provides Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to less fortunate families with children under 18 years. It is supported by community donations, and food baskets generally include a turkey or ham with all of the trimmings. In addition, the program provides Christmas presents for low-income and/or high-risk families with children under 11 years old. ʯ Operation Graduate. This program provides first generation and high-risk students in Delaware

Dr. Messam and the Bright Future Scholars 2019.

County, Pennsylvania, with essential college supplies. Eligible students are matched with community mentors who assist them in achieving their goals for graduation from College. Funding for this program is supported by community donations and, in the future, the non-profit expects to procure grant funding. ʯ Thriving After Adversity. This program serves children who are victims/survivors of trauma.

Currently, talk therapy is offered by numerous organizations in the United States for victims/survivors of trauma. Every Child Counts is planning a program that will provide alternatives to talk therapy with a trauma-informed focus. In addition, a healing garden (a peaceful space) will be provided for victims, survivors and their families to visit when they feel the need.

Ruszin’s husband and children, JJ and Jalyn, volunteer with Every Child Counts as well. “We organize through my workplace, our relatives, friends and neighbors to collect food for the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners,” she says. “And during the Christmas season, we collect books, stuffed animals and unwrapped toys and donate them to Dr. Messam’s office for families in need. Our goal each year is to make sure all of the children at Every Child Counts have gifts to open on Christmas morning. This has been a very successful program and a rewarding experience for my family.”

Editor’s note: Technology is playing an increasing role in the day-to-day business of sales reps. In this department, Repertoire will profile the latest developments in software and gadgets that reps can use for work and play.

Technology news

Shopping via Instagram

According to CNBC, Facebookowned Instagram will start testing shopping through its short-form video feature Reels later this year in an effort to monetize the recently launched TikTok clone. The Verge reported that eventually, these IGTV videos will also be available through Instagram Shop, a dedicated page for shopping within the app. Viewers can just tap through an IGTV video and purchase the items they’re interested in through Instagram checkout or the seller’s website.

Apple announces Fitness+

Apple announced plans to enter the health and fitness industry this fall by unveiling Fitness+, the first fitness experience built for Apple Watch, arriving later in 2020. Apple Fitness+ incorporates metrics from Apple Watch for users to visualize right on their iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, offering a first-of-its-kind personalized workout experience. Everyone from beginners to committed exercisers can access studiostyle workouts delivered by inspiring world-class trainers and underscored by motivating music from renowned artists, making it easier and more rewarding for customers to exercise, whenever and wherever they like.

Apple Fitness+ delivers personalized recommendations to help customers quickly get to their next workout, and uses Apple Watch to provide an engaging, immersive experience to help them stay motivated throughout. Using a custom recommendation engine, Fitness+ considers previously completed workouts and intelligently suggests new options that match the workouts users select most often, or something fresh to balance their current routine. Customers can also use an intuitive filtering tool to choose what is most important to them when looking for a workout, whether it’s the workout type, the trainer, the duration, or the music. For Apple Music subscribers, favorite music from Fitness+ workouts can also be easily saved and listened to later, whether in a workout or otherwise.

When a workout is selected and started on iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, the correct workout type will automatically start on Apple Watch. During the session, the metrics from Apple Watch are shown on the screen and come to life for moments of inspiration. For example, when the trainer says to check heart rate or begins a countdown timer, those numbers will animate on the screen. And for customers who like to push themselves with a little healthy competition, the optional Burn Bar shows how their current effort stacks up against anyone who has done the same workout previously.

The familiar Activity rings from Apple Watch also appear on screen, highlighting the wearer’s progress and launching an animated celebration as they close. With Activity Sharing, users can enable friends and family to see Fitness+ workouts completed, and workouts can also be shared to their favorite social media channels.

At launch, customers can conveniently find Fitness+ in the tab located in the new Fitness app on iPhone, which will also arrive on iPad and Apple TV.

Mobile Adjustable Height Lead Acrylic Window Barrier

With the same great protection you get from a Wolf barrier, this model features the ability to position the clear lead at any level between 45.25” and 74” for the ultimate in patient and operational visibility. It’s great for dozens of applications.

Best of all, the internal counter balance mechanism makes it easy to lift or lower…it requires minimal

Overall width: 30.5”

Opaque portion of the shield has .8mm lead equivalent protection

Clear panel provides .5mm lead equivalent protection

25” legs with casters provide strength, durability and easy transport within the clinic

The perfect right size solution for any environment: OR, ER, CT, X-ray, Urology, Pain Management, and Surgical Centers

When lowered allows rapid transport to any location in hospital or clinic and easy-to-store

Mobile Adjustable Height Lead Acrylic Window Barrier 56610 Product Weight: 176 lbs

Health news and notes

Protect your immune system

It’s critical to protect your immune system as we face both the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020-2021 flu season, according to a Piedmont Living Better blog. Jemese Richards-Boyd, MD, a Piedmont primary care physician, shared ways you can boost your immune system and protect your health: ʯ Exercise. “Moderate exercise can boost immunity by increasing blood flow and helping to reduce chronic stress,” says Dr. Richardson-Boyd. ʯ Proper diet. “In general, a poor diet and lack of nutrients can interfere with the activity of your immune cells and possibly even the production of different immune cells,” she says. “If you lack the necessary nutrition and become exposed to an infection, your body may not be able to mount the response it needs to fight the infection.” ʯ Sleep. “Lack of sleep can negatively impact your immune system,” says Dr. Richards-Boyd. “It is important to practice good sleep hygiene to make sure you avoid common pitfalls that disrupt your ability to get restful sleep.” ʯ Get a flu shot. “Getting a flu shot during the pandemic is important because it is possible to get both influenza and COVID-19, as they are two separate viruses,” she explains. ʯ Wash your hands regularly. ʯ Stay home if you are sick.

Read the full recommendations at: www.piedmont.org/ living-better/how-to-boost-your-immunity-during-covid

Where it hurts

Looking for a healthcare-related podcast? Kaiser Health News and St. Louis Public Radio launched a podcast about the often painful cracks in the American health system that leave people frustrated – and without the care they need. Each season, the podcast examines an overlooked part of the country, to a community suffering because of gaps in care, to a failing sector of the health care industry. Season one of the podcast, ‘No Mercy’ explores the fallout after Fort Scott, a small town in Kansas, loses its hospital. To listen to the podcast, visit https://khn.org/news/podcast-where-ithurts-s1-no-mercy-chapter-1-it-is-what-it-is.

Sniffing out COVID

A recent Time article highlighted how dogs might play a role in detecting COVID-19 infections. One hint – their noses. Steve Lindsay, a public health entomologist at Durham University, along with collaborators at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the U.K.-based nonprofit Medical Detection Dogs, are working on a U.K. governmentfunded study that will test dogs’ ability to detect COVID-19. Their goal: to train coronavirus-sniffing dogs, which could then be deployed at schools, airports and other public venues to reinforce existing nasal swab testing programs. A similar study is underway at the University of Pennsylvania. “We’re not just doing the proof of concept work, we’re also working out actively how to deploy this and scale it up as well, because we want to hit the ground running once we’ve gotten our results,” says James Logan, the head of LSHTM’s Department of Disease Control and the project lead on the U.K. study. Read about the studies at: https://time.com/5898049/covid-19-sniffing-dogs/

Automotive-related news

Tesla finishes third quarter on record-breaking pace

According to Car and Driver, Tesla announced that it had delivered a record-breaking 139,300 vehicles in the thirdquarter ending on September 30. Overall it built 145,036 vehicles during that time. Since the beginning of 2020, Tesla has sold 318,000 vehicles. It’s likely that number would have been higher had it not been that its Fremont, California, and Shanghai, China, facilities were temporarily shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Good news, bad news with U.S. traffic deaths

Traffic deaths decreased nationwide during 2019 as compared to 2018, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. There were 36,096 fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2019. This represents a decrease of 739 (down 2%) from the reported 36,835 fatalities in 2018, even though vehicle miles traveled increased by nearly 1%. As a result, the fatality rate for 2019 was 1.10 fatalities per 100 million VMT – the lowest rate since 2014, down from 1.14 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2018.

Fatalities decreased in most major traffic safety categories in 2019: ʯ Passenger vehicle occupants (down 2.8%) ʯ Motorcyclists (down 0.5%) ʯ Pedestrians (down 2.7%) ʯ Pedalcyclists (down 2.9%)

NHTSA also released preliminary fatality estimates for the first half of 2020. The second quarter of 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 public health emergency, showed a continued decline in overall traffic fatalities. The FARS data indicate that an estimated 8,870 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the second quarter of 2020, a decrease of about 3.3% compared to the second quarter of 2019, which translates into 302 fewer fatalities as compared to the same period in 2019.

At the same time, at the height of the COVID19 public health emergency, the total traffic volume decreased by more than 16% in the first six months of 2020. Because traffic volumes decreased more significantly than did the number of fatal crashes, the traffic fatality rate per 100 million VMT is projected to increase to 1.25 in the first half of 2020, up from 1.06 in the same period in 2019.

“Road safety is always our top priority, and while we are encouraged by today’s reports showing a continued decline in total fatalities in 2019 and into the first half of 2020, we are concerned by the trend since April showing an increased fatality rate,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator James Owens. “Now, more than ever, we should be watching ourselves for safe driving practices and encouraging others to do the same. It’s irresponsible and illegal to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, taking risks not only with one’s own life, but with the lives of others.”