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Permalink Reply by 99 on October 27, 2009 at 5:10pm

i am very pleased that these two giants have put aside past differences that cause a bad taste in the mouth

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Permalink Reply by Mike on October 27, 2009 at 5:34pm

Full press release:

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release


October 27, 2009

PHILIPS RESPIRONICS AND RESMED WORK TOGETHER TO RAISE AWARENESS OF UNTREATED SLEEP APNEA IN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY

San Diego, Ca., and Murrysville, Pa., USA – ResMed Inc. (NYSE: RMD and ASX: RMD.AX) and Philips Respironics, a unit of Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI), are joining forces to support the sleep community’s efforts to educate primary care physicians about untreated sleep apnea. This is being accomplished through independent continuing medical education (CME) programs for primary care physicians funded with educational grants by the two world leaders in sleep.

Starting this month, live programs are being provided through two respected independent primary care education providers, Primary Care Network and Pri-Med Institute, in 17 U.S. cities. This is the first time sleep apnea is being presented as a standalone topic during the typical 1- to 2-day seminars offered by the educators. The goal of the program is to educate 7,200 clinicians by June 2010.

Primary care, family practice, and internal medicine doctors, along with nurse practitioners and physician assistants will learn about symptoms of sleep apnea, screening implementation, diagnostic pathways, therapy and the latest research on the association of mortality and morbidity with untreated sleep apnea, as well as earn 1.25 CME credits per program. The initial response has been very positive. In the first five sessions, offered by Primary Care Network and Pri-Med Institute, close to 2,000 participants joined to learn more about sleep apnea. Barbara Phillips, MD, MSPH, Professor Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, who led the seminar in Charlotte, N.C., noted that “The questions posed by the audience indicated a high degree of interest and involvement in the care of patients with sleep apnea. It is gratifying to see this level of interest."

With approximately one in five U.S. adults suffering from mild obstructive sleep apnea1 and roughly 90 percent believed to be undiagnosed, along with mounting scientific evidence of co-morbidities such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea is a growing public health issue. In August, findings from one of the largest and most comprehensive multicenter studies, the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS) demonstrated an increased risk of mortality in moderate to severe sleep apnea when untreated.2 Because it is such an important issue, two market leaders have joined together to lend support to the most respected CME providers in the marketplace.

"This combined effort will help tackle the challenges the industry faces in providing sleep apnea education to primary care providers,” explains Ann Tisthammer, vice president, Clinical Education for Americas ResMed Corp. “Because sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment does not receive the sense of urgency it should in their practice, we believe supporting the CME programs will raise the level of awareness.”

One of the simplest ways to increase awareness and identify the millions of unidentified patients with sleep apnea is to educate these front-line physicians. Eoghan O’Lionaird, senior vice president and general manager-Sleep for Philips Home Healthcare Solutions, notes that, until recently, medical schools have not prepared physicians for the challenge of undiagnosed sleep apnea. “The research in the last five years alone has changed the field of sleep medicine and our understanding of its impact and consequences,” says O’Lionaird. “CME is a great forum to increase the knowledge of physicians on a condition and its therapy.”

Education and awareness have been central focuses for both ResMed and Philips Respironics. This collaboration in primary care CME programs is their latest joint undertaking. Both companies will continue to support the American College of Chest Physician (ACCP) Sleep Institute program with half-day CME programs to be held across the United States. That program educates 300 to 500 physicians annually.

1. Young T, Peppard E, and Gottlieb D. Epidemiology of obstructive sleep apnea: a population health perspective. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2002; 165:1217-1239
2. Punjabi NM, Caffo BS, Goodwin JL, et al. Sleep-disordered breathing and mortality: a prospective cohort study. PLoS Med 2009; 6:e1000132

For further information, please contact:

Constance Bienfait
Director, Investor Relations
ResMed
Tel: 858-836-5971
E-mail: Constance.Bienfait@resmed.com

Maryellen Bizzack
Director, Marketing & Communications
Philips Home Healthcare Solutions
Tel: 724-387-5006
E-mail: maryellen.bizzack@philips.com

About ResMed
ResMed is a leading developer, manufacturer, and distributor of medical equipment for treating, diagnosing, and managing sleep-disordered breathing and other respiratory disorders. We are dedicated to developing innovative products to improve the lives of those who suffer from these conditions and to increasing awareness among patients and healthcare professionals of the potentially serious health consequences of untreated sleep-disordered breathing. For more information on ResMed, visit www.resmed.com.

About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 118,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of $38 billion (EUR 26 billion) in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on October 28, 2009 at 5:47am

Resmed just offered our lab quite a few CEUs

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