In this week's LTC Connection, we wanted to call your attention to our modified delivery schedule in honor of Christmas and New Year's. We also have an update from the FDA on finger-stick device guidance and an interesting story about a new trend in long-term care. Last but not least, we're shining a spotlight on our Diabetic Care Management product category.

ProMed will be closed on Friday, December 24 and Monday, December 27 in honor of the Christmas holiday. Orders placed by noon on Friday, December 17 will be delivered by Thursday, December 23. Orders placed after noon on December 17 will be delivered on or after Tuesday, December 28. The office will also be closed on Friday, December 31 and Monday, January 3 in honor of New Year's Day. Orders placed by noon on Thursday, December 23 will be delivered by Thursday, December 30. Orders placed after noon on December 23 will be delivered on or after Tuesday, January 4. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our customer service department at (800) 648-5190. Citing a rise in blood-borne infections in long-term care, the FDA has issued new guidance calling for restricted use and better labeling procedures for reusable finger-stick devices. The new guidance recommends that all reusable finger-stick devices be labeled for use on just a single resident. Previously, some devices were cleared to for use on multiple residents. The FDA also wants manufacturers to include the following on their product labeling: Notification that reusable portions of a finger-stick device are for single resident use only Instructions that such devices should not be used for assisted blood draws in LTC settings or reused by anyone else, including family members Instructions for cleaning and disinfecting reusable portions of finger-stick devices after each use Additionally, single-use lancets should be "single use only" and include instructions for safe disposal. ProMed's MicroLance PF™ lancets conform to those recommendations. To learn more, click here. To view our original blog post on this topic, click here. One of our favorite blogs, The New Old Age, posted a great entry about the growing number of college campus retirement communities that have sprung up around the country. These communities, located near such big-name universities as Duke, Penn State and George Mason University, offer residents an active, intellectually stimulating and generational experience - the same sort of things residents were probably looking for in a college when they were teens. The educational opportunities at many of the namesake colleges are also play a big part in attracting residents. To read the entry, click here. To view our original blog entry on this topic, click here.

ProMed's Compliance® Blood Glucose System was designed with your residents in mind. It provides virtually pain-free testing with speedy results from a small sample size. The accompanying test strips utilize patented cap-gap technology to wick blood into the strip without the need for a hanging drop of blood. Additional features: MicroLance PF™ lancets minimize finger-stick pain and tissue damage Saves staff time and reduces labor costs by providing accurate results within 7 seconds Hassle-free, all-in-one system has internal calibration controls that eliminate coding Click here to view more items in our Diabetic Care Management product category. Prices are visible only to registered site users. If you're not registered on the site yet, your ProMed Customer Care Professional will be happy to get you set up.