1. SAFE AND APPROPRIATE USE OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

2. 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

3. 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.)

4. 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

5. 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

6. ROUTINE AND PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE  PT/INR MONITOR  PULSE OXIMETER