Home Medical Equipment

Home medical equipment helps to provide the necessary hospital care for patients in the convenience of their own home.

Home medical equipment can be used to help increase the quality of life a patient may need to treat his or her illness. Home medical equipment can range from a small blood pressure cup, which can be carried in a purse, to something as large as a motorized wheelchair.

Home medical equipment can be ordered through suppliers. Some equipment, after being prescribed by a doctor, can be order through a local pharmacy. All home medical equipment should be used upon a doctor's suggestion and consultation.

There are different groups of home medical equipment:

Respiratory equipment:

•    Oxygen concentrators
•    CPAP/BIPAP therapy
•    Apnea monitors
•    Nebulizers
•    Suction machines
•    Air compressors
•    Pulse oximeters
•    Ventilators

Bathroom equipment:

•    Safety bars
•    Transfer benches
•    Raised toilet seats
•    Extended shower hoses

Support and mobility equipment:

•    Geriatric chairs
•    Crutches
•    Walkers
•    Motorized wheelchairs and scooters.

While the above listed home medical equipment is used for patients who may suffer from chronic diseases or ailments, larger home medical equipment, such as hospital beds, have been used when a patient needs the same type continuing care as provided in a hospital. However, there are some concerns when transferring a patient’s equipment from the hospital to the home.

Transfer of Care

When a patient is using home medical equipment but needs to have outside care as well, there is concern about whether to use the patient's home equipment or transfer to the hospital’s equipment. The patient’s home medical equipment often is different than the hospital’s and has not been used by hospital staff.

According to an article by the Joint Commission International Center for Patient Safety, "transfer might affect the quality of care provided to the patient. On the other hand, leaving the patient on his or her equipment could raise a patient safety concern if staff are not trained on the proper use of the patient's equipment.”

“In some cases, meeting these challenges is worth doing when compared to the potential benefits to patient care. In other cases, transferring the patient to the hospital's equipment might be more practical,” says Robert Floro, associate director of the Home Care Accreditation program at the Joint Commission. For example, if a hospital has similar equipment, it might be wise to transfer the patient. However, if doing so would require clinically altering the care, such as with a research protocol, it might be worth the effort to keep the patient on his or her own equipment.

It is important when using home medical equipment to have a doctor's consultation, and be trained on the proper usage, maintenance and safety on the equipment. Before you begin at-home medical care, contact your local hospital to ensure, if a problem occurs, your local health care provider will be aware of the home medical equipment you are using as well as the patient’s condition.