"Moving beyond clinical evidence to cost effective wound therapy"
 
We are approaching our first full year of operational responsibility.  Over this time, it has become clear from the continuous stream of clinical data and unsolicited patient communications, that Circulator Boot therapy saves limbs.  The science behind the healing value provided by end-diastolic compression therapy is questioned by very, very few clinicians.  Yet our therapy has not yet reached ubiquitous status.
 
To become a standard of care in the contemporary world of US health care, reimbursement issues must be embraced equally with clinical evidence.  We have learned that these two paths don't always overlap.  However, we are very pleased to report that with the support of our clinicians and a refreshing perspective from the Medical Directors at Highmark Medicare Services, momentum for more favorable reimbursement has been achieved.  We have also received reports of improving coverage in many parts of the country outside of the Highmark coverage area.  Please see the left panel for more information.
 
The company's priority through 2010 will be to balance furthering our pile of clinical evidence with demonstrating the cost effectiveness of our therapy.  It is our job to help reimbursement authorities understand the significant savings that the Boot offers to the system. Our ability to prevent amputations among patients unresponsive or not suitable for interventional/surgical methods for improving circulation, will be a logical place to start.   
 
Beyond this specific patient group, our low cost therapy is now being used in combination with other standard therapies for accelerating healing rates and improving wound care outcomes. As you read this Newsletter, we encourage you to consider the Circulator Boot as an adjunctive therapy choice that can benefit patients with post-arterial reconstruction runoff as well as patients with micro-circulation challenges not currently suitable for HBO therapy.
 
Our Partner in Therapy in this edition of the Newsletter, Dr. Jane Fore from Tri-State Memorial Hospital, discusses how she uses the Circulator Boot adjunctively with HBO to improve healing results.  In a prior edition, Dr. Ramesh Adiraju from the RENU-CA Research Institute identified how he uses the Circulator Boot as part of his comprehensive vascular protocol.  "As a matter of course, response to revascularization and HBO can be enhanced by combining these therapies with autonomic regulation and Circulator Boot therapy" says Dr. Adiraju.