Uses for Home Medical Equipment

Most people are not entirely sure what home medical equipment entails. In truth, this term is very general and encompasses many different items. Basically, it is any piece of medical supply equipment that you can use outside of a medical care facility. For example, it would be impossible for someone to stay in the hospital for weeks just so that a broken arm can heal. They do not need constant medical attention nor are they unable to function normally without supervision. All they need is time for their arm to heal. Therefore, the doctor sets the bone, secures it with a plaster cast, and provides a sling so that they person can go home and heal. In this case, the sling would be considered a piece of home medical equipment.

Other examples are items that fall under the terms of bariatric medical equipment, equipment for elderly or handicapped individuals, and diabetic equipment. Bariatrics is the study of the causes, treatment, and prevention of obesity. People who have severe weight problems have difficulty moving around, getting in and out of bed, and bathing. Elderly individuals also have trouble moving from room to room. The bathroom is the most dangerous place for mobility-impaired people because there are more chances to slip and further injure themselves. Hand bars for the toilet and the bathtub as well as seats for the bathing area are all considered medical equipment and are very helpful to have in the home.

Another reason you might need to look into home medical equipment is if you or a loved one needs special machines or other items in your house for in-home care. Hospitals are not the most peaceful places. If you are trying to recover from an illness, it is much more ideal to undergo this recovery in the comfort of your own home.  Your recovery will be much faster with your loved ones around you! Having the proper medical machines right in your bedroom gives you the medical care that you need without you having to pay for the long hospital stay.

Copyright by Jane Worthington

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Different Types of Medical Equipment

Medical equipments help in diagnosing, monitoring and treatment of patients.

The types of such equipments include:

• Diagnostic equipments like resonance imaging and x-ray machines.
• Therapeutic equipments like lasers.
• Life support equipments including ventilators.
• Medical monitors for ECG and blood pressure.

Technology plays a very important role in enhancing the world of equipments thus helps to develop the lifestyle of the patients. These equipments make prior identification of the diseases and prevent the serious ones.

Home medical equipments help provide medical care to the patients at home, by any non-professional care-giver. Some of the home medical equipments include: air purifier, cannula, nebulizer, prosthesis, walkers and wheel-chair.

Patients must keep prescriptions from the doctor for home medical equipments. These equipments should be taken from the stores within immediate area.

The important supply companies of such equipments include very large organizations such as Walgreen's and Invacare and smaller companies include sole owners or may be some families. Internet retailers also play important role in supplying equipments. But all necessary supply and transactions are based on the laws of the government.

Some basic functions while supplying equipments at home are:

• Proper set up of the equipment at home.
• Make the home environment suitable for the patient as well as for he better usage of the machine.
• Training the care giver to use the equipment properly.
• 24 hour contact with the suppliers to deal emergency.
• Helping in periodic maintenance.

All suppliers must comply with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to protect patients' confidentiality and records. HIPAA regulates the availability and breadth of group health plans and certain individual health insurance policies. It helps in amending many acts in favor of the sick persons.

Home medical equipment is typically covered by patient's healthcare insurance, including Medicare. They provide best quality services to those patients at home.

The tools and equipments at hospitals are termed as medical equipments. Many companies are involved in hospital equipment business. Examples of commonly used hospital equipments include malecot catheters, stomach tube, rubber sheets, rubber infant syringes, surgical rubber bulbs, ryles tube, lavine tubes, endotracheal tubes, douche tube, pipette bulb, etc.

Durable medical equipment is a term to describe any more or less similar to home equipments. Mediclaim policies generally pay for the medical equipment used in the home to aid in a better quality of living. It is a benefit included in most insurance. It is almost similar to the home equipments with almost similar uses. Durable medical equipment (DME) is equipment that is usually used by seniors or those that have a medical condition, disability or physical limitation, is used daily, and is appropriate for use in the home. As a company selling home medical equipment, assisting those with difficulties to be independent is our goal. Magnifiers, electric scooters and rollers are some forms of durable equipments. Durable and quality rehabilitation home medical equipment is important for safety and independence.

Copyright by Nitin K. Singh

More about → Different Types of Medical Equipment