SAFE AND APPROPRIATE USE OF MEDICAL

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

PURPOSE

All home medical equipment and

medical supplies will be managed in a

safe and appropriate manner. Medical

equipment used in the provision and care

is maintained, tested and inspected

DEFINITIONS

Durable Medical Equipment: any assistive device or piece of

equipment used by hospice personnel, patient, or family/caregiver to

meet the patient’s hospice needs (i.e., walker, commode, Hoyer lift,

apnea monitor, etc.)

Home Heath supplies: disposable items used in meeting the needs

of the patient (i.e., dressing, syringes, catheters, tubing gloves, etc.)

O2 and related equipment: oxygen gas and any equipment used

to deliver the gas to the patient (i.e., 02 tank, tubing, concentrator,

etc.)

PROCEDURE

The selection, delivery, setup, and maintenance of

DME and 02 is the responsibility of the DME

company. Any equipment used in the provision of

patient care will have routine and preventive

maintenance as defined by the mfg.'s guidelines or

at least annually

PROCESS

During orientation (NEW HIRES) AND on an on-going

basis (as needed), personnel will be instructed regarding

access, handling, and delivery of DME.

The program supervisor (or designee) will assume

responsibility for instructing personnel on safe and

appropriate use of DME, supplies, and 02. This process will

be achieved through ORIENTATION, ANNUAL SAFETY AND

RISK MANAGEMENT INSERVICES, AND ONGOING

PROGRAMS

ROUTINE AND PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE

PT/INR MONITOR

PULSE OXIMETER