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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared this important announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “FDA MedWatch – Medline Updates Instructions for Use for Homecare Beds.”

This recall involves updating instructions for using devices and does not involve removing them from where they are used or sold. The FDA has identified this recall as the most serious type. This device may cause serious injury or death if you continue to use it without following the updated instructions.

What to Do:
Customers have reported incidents of hand control pendants burning, overheating, melting, sparking, causing electrical shock, and catching on fire only for the Medline Basic Beds identified in the alert. Such incidents pose significant risks, including serious injury and death. The FDA is recommending affected beds be left unplugged from wall power unless adjustments that require electricity need to be made.

For Medline Basic Beds and Medlite Homecare Beds identified, only use accessories intended for use with Medline Homecare Beds.

On November 26, Medline sent all affected customers a letter recommending the following actions:

  • To mitigate risk during use, strictly adhere to usage guidelines and safety instructions provided with the product as well as the following instructions:
    • Do not operate bed above the specified weight limit.
    • Ensure none of the bed components are jammed.
    • Ensure that there is no obstruction to the movement of the bed.
    • Hang the pendant on headboard or footboard when not in use.
    • Do not store the pendant on mattress at any time, including while asleep.
    • Unplug the bed and call for service if any of the following occur:
      • Bed motors appear to be jammed, stalled, or malfunctioning;
      • The bed pendant controls aren’t working;
      • Pendant wiring is damaged;
      • Pendant becomes hot to the touch; and/or
      • Smoke, sparking, or other unsafe electrical conditions occur.
    • Only use Medline side rails and Medline accessories that are intended for use with Medline Homecare Beds. When using Medline side rails and Medline accessories, follow all applicable instructions for use.
    • Do not use non-Medline side rails or non-Medline accessories, including extension cords, with Medline Homecare Beds. The following Medline Side Rail SKUs are compatible with both the Basic Homecare Beds and the Medlite Homecare Beds:
      • MDS89697 (Clamp-On Half Rail)
      • MDS89698N (Spring Loaded Half Rail)
      • MDS89694N (Spring Loaded Full Rail)
      • MDS89695N (Economy Full Rail)

Reason for Correction:
Medline has identified electrical safety risks with its Medline Basic Homecare Beds that may lead to fire.

The electrical safety risk is a potential hazard involving the hand control pendant and associated wires for Medline Basic Homecare Beds, SKUs MDR107002E, MDR107002E-4, MDR107003E, MDR107003E-4, and MDR107003ELO. In certain scenarios — such as operating the bed above its specified weight limit, encountering an obstruction to bed movement, or experiencing jammed components/motor, among other potential conditions — the hand pendant and pendant cords may overheat and, in some instances, pose a risk of fire. Medline Industries has received reports of pendants sparking, burning, melting, smoking, and catching on fire.

As of December 18, Medline has reported 12 injuries and one death associated with this issue.

Additionally, Medline has identified patient entrapment as a potential issue when using non-Medline accessories on Medline beds. Non-Medline accessories or a user error when handling the pendant can unintentionally cause the bed to adjust position, entrapping the user’s body between the bed and the accessory. Entrapment could lead to asphyxiation, serious injury, and death. Patients with reduced monitoring, such as those at home, are at increased risk due to delays in detecting and responding to entrapment incidents.

As of December 18, Medline has reported two injuries and one death associated with the use of non-Medline approved accessories.

Device Use:
An AC-powered adjustable hospital bed is a device intended for medical purposes that consists of a bed with a built-in electric motor and remote controls that can be operated by the patient to adjust the height and surface contour of the bed. Hospital beds include side rails that can be latched on or off and moved around.

Contact Information:
Customers in the U.S. with adverse reactions, quality problems, or questions about this recall should contact Medline Industries at 866-359-1704 or via email.

For additional information and specific models affected, visit the FDA’s website.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 26-024. This announcement provides information on how to register for new 2026 Quality Management (QM) Certification virtual classes.

Key things you should know about the virtual class:

  • Class size is limited to 32 participants.
  • Classes are held over 2 consecutive days, from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm.
  • Prerequisite modules are required to prepare learners for the class and must be completed prior to attending class.

Spring/Summer 2026 Class Dates:

  • April 27 – 28
  • May 11 – 12
  • June 15 – 16
  • July 13 – 14
  • July 27 – 28

Register here. Please review the announcement for more details.

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The Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 budget signed by Governor Josh Shapiro included an additional $13.2 million in state funding for Early Intervention (EI) services, with $10 million of this funding specifically targeting provider rates.

Last Friday, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) released the 2025/26 Fee Schedule, which included a 7% increase for Early Intervention services, with some exceptions.

Infant Toddler Early Intervention Programs and providers should now use the updated Fiscal Year 2025/26 fee schedule rates to bill for all services delivered on or after July 1, 2025. OCDEL will coordinate with County programs to communicate a Mass Adjustment coordination with all Early Intervention providers for services already billed that are eligible for a rate adjustment.

This news comes after months of joint advocacy from RCPA, EIPA, PennAEYC, and other EI provider groups. RCPA is grateful for these strong partnerships, and we recognize this commitment to investment in the Early Intervention Part C Program by Governor Shapiro, OCDEL, and the PA General Assembly.

Read the full announcement here.

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ODP Residential Providers are reminded that the ODP MyPBC Portal is now open for providers to submit their Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) data. The portal will remain open for providers to submit their data until March 16, 2026, at 11:59 pm.

ODP held a training for the MyPBC Portal system for Residential Service Providers. The recording of this session can be found here.

Please view ODPANN 26-017 for more details.

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The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) is seeking public input on goals and objectives for its next 5-year plan (2027–2031). Over the past 14 months, PADDC has:

  • Gathered public feedback on barriers and concerns that impact the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in Pennsylvania;
  • Distributed surveys and conducted listening tours; and
  • Analyzed state data, services, and challenges to identify unmet needs for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

The results of these activities led PADDC to develop goals and objectives in the following focus areas: self-advocacy; information sharing; and services and supports. Before the plan is finalized, the Council is seeking public comments to ensure they are considering a variety of viewpoints.

PADDC invites you to take its survey by March 27, 2026. Complete the survey here.

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Novitas Solutions, the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for Pennsylvania, will host a webinar for PA inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF) and the Review Choice Demonstration (RCD) on February 18, 2026, at 1:00 pm ET. During this webinar, Novitas will provide an overview of the state’s Cycle 3 progress in the IRF RCD thus far, including top reasons for non-affirmations and documentation guidelines. Novitas is also expected to share data on statewide affirmation rates in Cycle 3, which would mark the most recent data available to date on the program.

Registration for the webinar is available here. A recording of the webinar will also be made available on Novitas’s Pennsylvania’s IRF RCD website following the event.

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