HSE News Briefs

GPO offers new generic program: Amerinet has contracted with Cardinal Health to offer a new Generic Sourcing Program to help its acute care members reduce its generic noninjectable drug costs. The program also includes Amerinet Choice, the group purchasing organization's private-label line of injectable products.

TPN system's new interface improves safety: B. Braun Medical's PINNACLE TPN Management System is now integrated with the home infusion information system CPR+ v8.0. This means that after the total parenteral nutrition calculations are performed by CPR+, a bar code is printed on the TPN Worksheet, which can be scanned into the PINNACLE system, reducing the risk of transcription errors. The interface requires no information technology implementation and no manual input because it's barcode-driven. CPR+ is distributed by Definitive Homecare Solutions and is used by more than 800 home infusion providers.

Muscle relaxant reversor awaiting approval: An advisory committee of the Food & Drug Administration has approved an anesthesia drug called sugammadex (Bridion, Schering-Plough). The drug allows anesthesiologists to reverse any depth of muscle relaxation induced by rocuronium and vecuronium within minutes. Schering-Plough said, if approved, it will be the first selective relaxant binding agent (SRBA).