December 15, 2021
Important Recall Information
We have been notified of a Health Canada product recall for Drive Bed Assist Rails (Handles) which pose an entrapment hazard. The product was distributed to Ontario Home Health by Drive Medical from November 2008 to June 2021. The recall covers all affected product codes sold between 2007 and 2021.
Ontario Home Health has sold this product to Consumers under the item numbers 15064 (Drive Medical
#15064), RTL15073 (Drive Medical #RTL15073), RERTL15073 (Drive Medical #RTL15073) and RTL15063 (Drive Medical #RTL15063-ADJ). The Drive Medical sticker on the product will contain this number and the serial number required for refund.
Discontinue use immediately.
The following links provide additional information from Health Canada and Drive Medical.
Health Canada
Home Bed Assist Handles recalled due to potential entrapment hazard (canada.ca) Drive Medical Link for Refund (also can be obtained through the Health Canada link) https://www.recallrtr.com/bedhandles
Or
Contact Drive Medical Canada by phone
1-877-467-3099, Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 6.p.m. CT
NOTICE of Voluntary Recall - Philips Respironics
Specified Devices Manufactured BEFORE April 26, 2021
July 2, 2021
Dear Customers,
Ontario Home Health is aware of the voluntary recall of certain Philips Respironics Continuous and Non-Continuous Ventilators, including CPAP, BILEVEL and Continuous Ventilator devices used in Canada. Only “Philips Respironics” units are being voluntary recalled.
This recall is voluntary. Information continues to be gathered and individuals with affected devices can expect to be contacted by their supplier.
Why is there a voluntary recall?
The voluntary recall surrounds two issues related to the polyester-based polyurethane
(PE-PUR) sound abatement foam used in some models of Philips Respironics Continuous and Non-Continuous Ventilators.
- This foam may degrade into irritant particles which may enter the device’s air pathway and be ingested or inhaled by the user
- The PE-PUR foam may emit volatile gas products, which the user may inhale
What are the symptoms and risks?
According to the manufacturer, inhalation of the particles could cause symptoms such as headache, upper airway and eye irritation, cough, chest pressure and sinus infections or asthma. Philips reports the foam-related complaint rate in 2020 was low (0.03%) and it has received no accounts of patient impact related to chemical emissions. There have been no deaths reported.
Foam degradation may be exacerbated by the following:
- use of unapproved cleaning methods, such as using Ozone cleaners that use disinfectants that may harm your unit. The “SoClean” brand is an example of an Ozone Please stop using any such cleaning systems and instead refer to your CPAP or BiPAP device instructions for approved cleaning methods: usa.philips.com/c-e/hs/better-sleep-breathing-blog/better-sleep/keeping-it-clean- cpap.html
- in high heat and high humidity environments unrelated to the humidity from the device
If you have purchased one of these units from Ontario Home Health, you will be contacted and provided with additional information. In the meantime, please consult your physician with questions related to your specific therapy.
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A Message to our Customers and Partners in Healthcare
Ontario Home Health and Mackhall Mobility are working hard to support the needs of our clients and system partners throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic. We continue to adjust daily to new information and Public Health Directives. As you might imagine, it is impossible to draw a definitive line between what is essential and what is not. We are willing to work with each of you to find a way to help all who require it, so long as we can protect the health and safety of all involved. At this point, we are able to provide the following services:
· Delivery of product if it can be done with no personal contact.
· Equipment rentals if they can be done with no personal contact.
· Equipment repair if it can be done with no personal contact. Equipment will need to be in a space that permits disinfection before repair. It will then be left in that space for retrieval by the customer and/or their caregiver.
· Installations if they can be done with no personal contact.
· Restricted access to our retail stores for essential needs.
Routine visits to all long-term care facilities, hospitals and other care facilities are suspended until Public Health officials deem that this type of service is once again safe.
ADP funded equipment:
As of March 24, 2020, Ontario's Assistive Devices Program has announced its temporary closing to help stem the spread of Covid-19 and will not be accepting applications for funding. They have provided no additional information related to processing changes that can impact the viability of equipment vendors and manufacturers. This temporary closing, along with anticipated increases in short- term equipment requirements, due to meeting the demands of expected hospital discharges from Covid-19 admissions, has forced us reluctantly to adjust to these significant resource constraints. For ADP funded devices, we are able to offer:
· Attendance at ADP assessments only if this can be accomplished within the required two meters of social distancing.
· Provision of trial equipment solely for assessment purposes. Equipment will NOT be left with the client.
· Rental of suitable equipment until ADP resumes operations.
· Phone consultation as required.
Oxygen Therapy and Respiratory Services
· Routine patient assessment is suspended until further notice.
· Requests for new home oxygen set-ups will continue with modified procedures.
· 24-hour emergency services continue.
Supply Chain Issues
Not surprisingly, manufacturers are experiencing an unprecedented demand for many commonly used medical devices. We have done our best to be proactive, but are learning daily of significant backorders for key products. Over the past two weeks, we have made a concerted effort to stock our regular customers with needed medical supplies. We are in the queue for purchasing of in-demand equipment. I would encourage customers and caregivers to notify us early if they have or anticipate the need for medical equipment or supplies. We will work hard to provide what is needed.
In the end, I couldn't be more proud of the team we have assembled at Ontario Home Health and Mackhall Mobility. Their safety and that of their families is my highest priority, and even in this chaotic time, they have made clear their desire to help our communities in any way we can. I am entirely open to your questions and feedback and can be reached directly at any time on my cell at 519-581-3645.
Thank You and stay safe!
Rick Gautreau
CEO
Ontario Home Health purchases Mackhall Mobility
May 31, 2019, STRATFORD ON, - Ontario Home Health and Mackhall Mobility, two regional leaders in the supply of home medical equipment and mobility products, are pleased to announce that Ontario Home Health has purchased all shares of Mackhall Mobility effective May 31, 2019. The combined strengths of these two very successful brands will create one of the largest independent suppliers of home healthcare products in Ontario with locations in Cambridge, Guelph, Stratford, Orangeville, Durham, Owen Sound, and Collingwood.
Rick Gautreau, CEO of Ontario Home Health, said, “The collective strategic advantage of our combined brands will now provide consumers with a one-stop shop solution for all their medical equipment needs. I am looking forward to working with Marty and the Mackhall team, as both organizations share their expertise with each other and provide our clients with the best possible customer experience.”
Steps to align the internal systems and operations will begin immediately and it will be business as usual for both companies while they merge the two organizations into one regional brand.
Marty Mackie of Mackhall Mobility said, “I’m very excited by the fact that this will strengthen both companies. We will be aggressively adding new and complementary product lines so that our clients can have all of their home medical equipment and supply needs met in one place.”
At this time, there are no plans to make any staffing changes as the merging of the two companies will result in very little overlap of responsibilities.
About Ontario Home Health
Since opening in 1992, Ontario Home Health has grown to be one of the major suppliers of home oxygen and home health care products in Ontario. A registered provider for the Assistive Device Program, The Department of Veterans Affairs, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and most other major insurers and funding agencies, They have retail locations in Guelph, Stratford, Orangeville and Cambridge and are one of the very few Ontario providers granted the Seal of Accreditation by the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation.
About Mackhall Mobility
Mackhall Mobility has been the number one source for mobility and home health care equipment and services in Grey, Bruce and Simcoe counties since 1993. With locations in Durham, Owen Sound and Collingwood their team of trained professionals includes Kinesiologists Certified Compression Fitters, Mobility Consultants, and Qualified Service Technicians. Preferred vendors for many long term care homes in the area; they provide mobility consultation and regular maintenance of all mobility equipment.
For more information, please contact:
Rick Gautreau Marty Mackie
CEO V.P. Sales
Ontario Home Health Ontario Home Health
1-800-386-1912 1-866-874-5363
rickg@ont-home-health-on.ca marty@mackhall.ca