News and notes from the day in MedCity, Ohio:
An unnamed law firm is investigating possible securities law violations by STERIS Corp. related to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration‘s recommendations that health care facilities find alternatives to the company’s System 1 medical instrument sterilizer, according to Shareholders Foundation Inc. in San Diego, Calif. On Dec. 3, the FDA issue a safety alert for the STERIS sterilization, warning that it has the potential to cause “serious injuries” such as infections, to patients. The alert stemmed from a longstanding disagreement between STERIS and the FDA about whether the company should have re-applied for approval to sell System 1 after modifying the device since its 1988 launch. The law firm investigation could lead to a STERIS shareholder lawsuit. Since the FDA’s alert, the company’s shares have fallen 15 percent to $28.34 in after-hours trading on Tuesday.
University Hospitals Case Medical Center’s Medical Intensive Care Unit has been awarded the Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence. The MICU is the only intensive care unit in the country to receive this honor from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses over five consecutive years, according to University Hospitals. “This is truly outstanding that our Medical Intensive Care Unit stands out among all others in the country having won this significant award five years in a row,” says Catherine Koppelman, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at the medical center.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
The Center for Academic and Research Excellence/Crawley Building in the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center has been awarded LEED Gold certification for excellence in sustainable building practices, according to the university. Opened in Sept. 2008, the Crawley Building houses technically advanced laboratory research and teaching space. It was designed with sustainability in mind. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is independent verification that a building project is environmentally responsible and a healthy place to live and work.
Cardinal Health executives address investors at the Goldman Sachs CEO Unplugged Conference on Jan. 6 in New York City and at the 28th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Jan. 12 in San Francisco, the Dublin-based company said. The company likely will address recent changes, including its Sept. 1 spinoff to shareholders of CareFusion Corp., the San Diego company that provides drug management and monitoring systems, and other surgical and interventional technologies, to hospitals. “We are focused on our role in helping make health care more cost-effective and our commitment to improving shareholder value,” said George S. Barrett, who became Cardinal’s chairman and chief executive officer upon completion of the spinoff.
