Direct Supply announced that it now sells BladderScan. The product provides accurate, noninvasive bladder volume measurements to help create retraining plans and toileting schedules for residents. The product also reduces the need for catheterizations, and helps avoid F-tag 315 citations.

American Dryer Corporation announced it had recently secured up to $300 million in capital funding. The infusion will help the firm make strategic improvements, including possible acquisitions.

Increasing oil prices, growing demand for raw materials, a weakening U.S. dollar and other factors are driving up costs associated with making and transporting medical equipment, according to a report for the Health Industry Distributors Association. Copies of the full report are available from HIDA.

EnduraCare Therapy Management recently announced the appointment of Jennifer Berryhill to its business development unit. Berryhill will help the firm define and execute its trade show practices.

AARP will bring more hearing assistance to its 39 million members as part of a new partnership with HearUSA. The new program will encompass a wide range of products and services for members, many of whom reside in long-term care settings. New program benefits will become available later this year, according to both organizations.

Officials at the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced last week that they approved the upcoming flu season's batch of vaccines, and are hopeful that this year's formula will be more effective than last year's. Breaking with tradition, the agencies changed all three flu virus strains. Usually, only one or two are updated, but last year's inoculation was only 44% effective. Two of the three strains recommended for the U.S. are now in use for the 2008-2009 flu season in the Southern Hemisphere. There are six vaccines for the 2008-2009 flu season in the U.S.

Some durable medical equipment, prosthetic, and orthotics suppliers (DMEPOS) are abusing the Medicare system, despite fraud-prevention safeguards, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.In its investigation, GAO investigators created two false suppliers in Virginia and Maryland, the Bureau of National Affairs reported. The fake vendors were approved to bill Medicare, even though neither met all of the 25 supplier standards required of DMEPOS companies. Nursing homes deal regularly with DMEPOS suppliers and some facilities even have established their own supplier businesses.

Graham-Field recently introduced the Lumex FoldAway Onyx Walker. The product assembles quickly and can be folded easily for transportation or storage. Although the walker weighs only six pounds, it has a 300-pound maximum weight capacity. The walker also comes with a limited lifetime warranty, the firm notes.

Handi-Hut announced the recent sale of its 10,000th Smoking Shelter. The shelters accommodate smokers so that public spaces can remain smoke-free. The products come in many designs, are built to specifications, have vented roofs and are easily installed, according to the company.

Every 40 seconds, another person in the United States has a stroke, according to the American Heart Association. Ron Gardner, who has survived a stroke, recently wrote "Take Brave Steps for Stroke Survivors and Families - A Message of Motivation and Hope." The book offers motivation and inspiration to stroke survivors—and their caregivers.