Latex in Medical Devices and Products

At Symbius, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best products on the market.  Cost and convenience are important factors; however, the continued health and safety of our customers is paramount – from product design to how they’re manufactured and what materials they contain.  

Many medical products and devices necessitate sealing against the body, which can raise concerns for those with sensitive skin or who experience an allergic reaction to certain materials. Latex sensitivity is becoming more common, and how severely a person reacts can worsen with repeated exposure.    

Latex is the raw material from which rubber is made. Those with this allergy may experience a reaction after being in contact with, for example, the latex in rubber gloves or by inhaling airborne latex particles.  It is an irritant to many individuals and for some, even the slightest exposure to latex (such as from elastic in clothing and rubber bands), can cause an immediate, life-threatening allergic reaction.  According to the Mayo Clinic, mild latex allergy symptoms include:

• Itching 


• Skin redness


• Hives or rash   

While more severe symptoms include:

• Sneezing 


• Runny nose 


• Itchy, watery eyes 


• Scratchy throat 


• Difficulty breathing 


• Wheezing 


• Cough   

Medical devices and associated products, such as catheters and ostomy bags, come into direct and repeated contact with the body in areas where the skin can be extra sensitive.  Skin in these areas should be kept clean and routinely monitored for signs of irritation.  Because latex sensitivity can develop after repeated exposure, this is imperative even for those who do not initially display the symptoms of allergic reaction or sensitivity.   

For catheter users with a known allergy or sensitivity to Latex, Symbius Medical offers Cure Catheters and Cure Catheter Closed Systems, which are always latex free.  We also offer latex-free gloves (e.g. sterile catheter kits). For more information about this or other products, talk with a knowledgeable customer service representatives today, or visit us online at http://www.symbiusmedical.com.

Source: http://www.symbiusmedical.com/latex-in-medical-devices-and-products/

Getting the Right Ostomy Products

Becoming accustomed to life with an ostomy can be difficult and it takes time to find the supplies that are appropriate to the individual’s needs. At Symbius Medical, we can supply you with the ostomy products you need to improve the quality of your life.

Read more: http://bit.ly/UGQHpt

Symbius’ Continued Involvement in the Communities We Serve

Symbius Medical is your national home medical supplier and regional home medical equipment provider dedicated to improving the quality of life for our customers by providing exceptional service, comprehensive education, and compassionate care for the communities we serve.  As a company we support many local and national organizations through charitable contributions and donations. Each year many of our employees donate their time and money to support local agencies including; food banks and school drives, cancer and ALS walks, Adopt a Family, the American Red Cross, Support Our Troops and much, much more.  

Colorado Association for Medical Equipment Services – CAMES is an organization made up of medical equipment companies including oxygen delivery services & supplies, medical supplies, orthotics and prosthetics, wheelchairs, hospital beds, rehabilitation equipment, and many other specialty medical items. CAMES follows healthcare trends and provides medical equipment information to the community.  

The National MS Society - The National MS Society is a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now. The Society helps people affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services that help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.  

Spina Bifida Association - The Spina Bifida Association (SBA) serves adults and children who live with the challenges of Spina Bifida. Since 1973, SBA has been the only national voluntary health agency solely dedicated to enhancing the lives of those with Spina Bifida and those whose lives are touched by this challenging birth defect. Included in its focus are education, advocacy, research, and service.  

ALS Association – The ALS Association symbolizes the hopes of people everywhere that Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis will one day be a disease of the past. Until that day comes, The ALS Association relentlessly pursues its mission to help people living with ALS and to leave no stone unturned in search for the cure of the progressive neurodegenerative disease that took the life and name of Baseball Legend Lou Gehrig.  

AZ Spinal Cord Association – The Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with spinal cord injuries. The Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association also offers support and education to family members, professionals, and community members.  

Medicare Region DDAC Committee – The Medicare Region D DMERC Advisory Committee (DAC) is a nonprofit volunteer organization comprised of home medical equipment (HME) providers, state and national associations, manufacturer supporters and industry consultants. The primary function of the DAC is to serve as a communications vehicle between the HME industry and CIGNA HealthCare Medicare Administration (CIGNA Medicare), and the Region D DMERC.  

Medicare Region D DMERC Advisory – The Region D DMERC Advisory Committee (DAC) is a nonprofit volunteer organization comprised of home medical equipment (HME) providers, state and national associations, manufacturer supporters and industry consultants. The primary function of the DAC is to serve as a communications vehicle between the HME industry, Noridian Administrative Services, the Jurisdiction D DME MAC, and CEDI the Common Electronic Data System.

American Association for Respiratory Care – Since 1947, the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) has been committed to enhancing the professionalism of respiratory care practitioners, improving performance on the job, and helping broaden the scope of knowledge essential to success. With more than 47,000 members nationwide, the AARC is the only professional society for respiratory therapists in hospitals and with home care companies, managers of respiratory and cardiopulmonary services, and educators who provide respiratory care training.

Source: http://www.symbiusmedical.com/symbius-continued-involvement-in-the-communities-we-serve/

Finding the Right Ostomy Products

The initial phase of becoming accustomed to life with ostomy can be difficult for many patients, and it takes time to find the supplies that are appropriate to the individual’s needs.  Working with trained professionals, and knowing your options when it comes to the different supplies available can make all the difference in the world.   

An ostomy refers to a surgically created opening in the body designed to discharge the body’s waste. A stoma is the actual end of the ureter or small or large intestine that has been rerouted through the abdominal wall and protrudes from the skin.  There are numerous medical reasons a patient may need an ostomy, including the removal of cancerous tissue, or mitigating diseased organ mass.  The areas of the body most commonly affected are:  

• Colon: a colostomy is surgically created opening of the colon or large intestine which results in a stoma. A colostomy is created when a portion of the colon is removed and the remaining colon is rerouted through the abdominal wall to allow waste to exit the body.


• Small intestine: An ileostomy is a surgically created opening in the small intestine, usually at the end portion of the organ, known as the ileum. The small intestine is rerouted through the abdominal wall to form a stoma and allow waste to exit the body.


• Urinary system: a urostomy is a surgically created artificial opening or stoma for the urinary system to allow urine to exit the body  

At Symbius Medical, we can supply you with the ostomy products you need to improve the quality of your life.  We offer many types of pouching systems and styles from major manufacturers including one-piece or two-piece systems, and we can ship your supplies directly to your home nationwide.  

Your physician can help you determine what particular type of system will best fit your lifestyle and our customer service department is available to help answer your questions or concerns. We will even take care of processing your insurance claim with your primary or secondary insurance provider. We make it easy to reorder your ostomy supplies too. Contact our customer service department and learn more about our Monthly Supply Order Management Program.

Source: http://www.symbiusmedical.com/finding-the-right-ostomy-products/

What is Competitive Bidding?

In some parts of the country, a new program called Competitive Bidding will require you to obtain certain medical equipment from specific, Medicare-contracted suppliers in order for Medicare to pay.  The new program currently applies to people with original Medicare, which is a fee-for-service coverage under which the government pays your health care providers directly for your Part A and/or Part B benefits.  The competitive bidding program affects those who live in (or travel to) these 9 areas.   

Areas participating in the competitive bid program: ·         

• Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord (North Carolina and South Carolina)


• Cincinnati-Middletown (Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana)


• Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor (Ohio) 


• Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington (Texas) 


• Kansas City (Missouri and Kansas) 


• Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach (Florida) 


• Orlando-Kissimmee (Florida) 


• Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania)


• Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario (California)  

If you are located in a city where the program is in effect, you will need to obtain the following products from a contracted supplier: 

• Oxygen, oxygen equipment, and supplies 


• Standard power wheelchairs, scooters, and related accessories 


• Walkers and related Accessories 


• Complex rehabilitative power wheelchairs and related accessories (Group 2 only) 


• Mail-order diabetic supplies 


• Enteral nutrition, equipment, and supplies


• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices and Respiratory Assist Devices (RADs), and related supplies and accessories


• Hospital beds and related accessories 


• Walkers and related accessories 


• Support surfaces (Group 2 mattresses and overlays in Miami only)  

To find out if your zip code is affected by Medicare’s Competitive Bidding program, or if an item you use is included in the program, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-4227). You may also visit http://www.Medicare.gov and look up suppliers in your area by zip code (a notice will appear if your area is subject to Competitive Bidding). If medical equipment is marked with an orange star, it will need to be provided by a contracted supplier.

Source: http://www.symbiusmedical.com/what-is-competitive-bidding/