Apria’s Chief Financial Officer Leaves Post

Apria Healthcare Group Inc.’s chief financial officer, Lawrence Smallen, left his job last week as the nation’s largest home health care company continues a five-month search for his replacement.

Money-losing Apria, which provides such services as delivery of oxygen equipment to patients’ homes, announced in January that Smallen had decided to leave. At the time, the Costa Mesa company disclosed the resignation of its chairman and warned that 1998 earnings wouldn’t meet expectations. Smallen had said in January he would remain with Apria until a successor was found.

“We are hopeful of having that post filled soon,” said Apria spokeswoman Sheree Aronson.

Apria lost $273 million last year as health insurers and the government cut the rates they are willing to pay for its services.