EATONTOWN, N.J., May 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- QMed, Inc. today announced -- In an effort to educate the public on how to perform CPR, HeartLine Plus, a South Dakota Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan, has been named the official sponsor for the American Heart Association’s CPR Anytime(TM) for Family and Friends program.
QMed chose to sponsor the CPR program because they specifically want to reach South Dakotans who have heart and stroke conditions that are at highest risk of having cardiac incidents.
“Partnering with the American Heart Association in taking CPR Anytime statewide makes great sense to us,” said Jack Rohfritch, president of QMedCare, Inc. “We share the same goals in ensuring that South Dakota citizens with heart ailments have the information and education that they need to not just manage their condition, but to work together on improving their quality of life.”
Everything needed to complete a self-directed CPR training comes in one kit, which can be used in the convenience of a living room or at a senior gathering site. A single kit allows an entire family or group to learn CPR with a one-of-a-kind CPR manikin, a 22-minute DVD and a resource booklet.
Carrie Collins, community advocacy director for the American Heart Association in South Dakota, is excited about the new partnership. “We are very appreciative of HeartLine Plus’ commitment to help us educate South Dakotans about CPR and heart health. Through this partnership we are working to make this life-saving training available to anyone who wants to learn.”
Under the direction of QMed, HeartLine Plus staff members will be arranging CPR Anytime demonstrations at targeted sites throughout the state and will also join with the South Dakota chapter of the American Heart Association in participating in health fairs around the state to promote HeartLine Plus and CPR anytime.
“We want to make sure that seniors-the population most at risk-and the people around them most often are educated on how to use CPR,” said Rohfritch. “We also plan to work with members of the American Heart Association’s Mended Hearts group and their families to more effectively live with heart disease.”
CPR Anytime kits are for people who don’t need a course completion card to satisfy a work requirement and who most likely would never attend a traditional CPR course. Persons wanting more information about obtaining a CPR Anytime for Family and Friends kit can visit the American Heart Association website at www.americanheart.org. South Dakota healthcare professionals and those involved with senior groups can contact the HeartLine Plus care coordinators at 1-866-437-3288 for more information about the CPR Anytime kits.
About QMed, Inc.
QMed provides evidence-based clinical information management systems around the country to its health plan customers. The system incorporates Disease Management services to patients and decision support to physicians. The Company’s QMedCare subsidiary specializes in serving high-risk populations of Medicare beneficiaries. Forward Health is QMed’s subsidiary offering weight, obesity and health promotion programs. The Company has been selected in two Medicare Demonstrations, one of which continues to operate, in order to test the feasibility of reimbursing its care coordinated DM services in the vast Medicare fee-for-service program. More information on QMed, Inc. can be obtained at www.qmedinc.com, by calling (732) 544-5544 or by emailing investor@qmedinc.com.
About the American Heart Association
Since 1924 the American Heart Association has helped protect people of all ages and ethnicities from the ravages of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, the nation’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers, claim more than 930,000 American lives a year. The association invested more than $407 million in fiscal year 2002-03 for research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs so people across America can live stronger, longer lives.
About DAKOTACARE
DAKOTACARE is South Dakota’s largest and only statewide health maintenance organization, serving over 100,000 members. DAKOTACARE added HeartLine Plus to its coverage plan in 2005. As one of only three Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan nationwide, HeartLine Plus is designed to assist Medicare-eligible residents of South Dakota who have one of the following conditions: coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure (CHF) or a previous stroke.
QMed, Inc.
CONTACT: Robert Mosby, QMed, Inc., +1-732-544-5544, ext. 1107
