When examining the vast array of medical technologies and equipment available on the market, it can be easy to become fixated on a single piece of equipment. It is essential to remember that the primary function of any medical equipment is to ensure patient and caregiver comfort and ease.
Durable medical equipment
Durable medical equipment is defined as any piece of equipment used in a hospital or at home to facilitate medical care.
Long-lasting medical devices encompass all types of medical equipment, from assistive technology such as crutches, transfer wheelchairs, rollator walkers, knee scooters, and hearing aids to more vital equipment such as heart monitors and oxygen machines.
The label on durable medical equipment indicates that the products meet particular medical and safety requirements. According to its name, durable medical technology is designed to withstand repeated usage without malfunctioning.
Durable medical equipment can range from minor medical items, such as a finger splint, to complex life support machinery present in virtually every large hospital.
Durable medical equipment focuses on addressing the needs of those afflicted by disease or injury or who may require more support with day-to-day activities. These types of medical equipment can assist with mobility and equilibrium.
When purchasing medical equipment, it is essential to consider the device’s quality and safety. Depending on the type, medical equipment might be a significant expense.
Investing in a product with a longer lifespan will lower maintenance expenses over time.
In fact, for some individuals, having access to this equipment, such as bath chairs, knee scooters, and walking canes, can be the difference between a safe and autonomous lifestyle and potential dangers such as slips and falls or a restricted lifestyle.
Within the classification of durable medical equipment, most assistive technologies can be divided into two groups. These classes are:
Care duration — either short term or long term
Utilization context – hospital or other professional care facility or private residence
In the primary category, the user may require short-term care, such as a brace or splint, or long-term care, such as mobility equipment for patients with restricted movement or mental illness.
If the durable medical equipment is intended for use in a professional setting, such as hospitals or long-term care facilities, or if it is specifically designed for use in private spaces, such as homes where individuals with mobility issues reside, either alone or with a care assistant, it falls into the second category.
Why is long-lasting medical equipment essential?
Durable medical equipment (DME) allows people with a debilitating medical condition, sickness, or injury to enjoy an improved quality of life at home.
A healthcare provider may order durable medical equipment to accommodate a patient’s temporary disability, such as a wheelchair or crutches for a recovering patient, or as part of a patient’s long-term care plan for a chronic or life-limiting condition, such as a mechanical ventilator for a patient with advanced lung disease.
Durable Medical Equipment Examples
Now that you understand what comprises durable medical equipment let’s examine a few examples.
- A wheelchair is one of the most prevalent pieces of durable medical equipment.
- A patient who utilizes a wheelchair uses it to substitute their natural motor function. A wheelchair is a piece of medical equipment that the patient uses daily. Lastly, it is reasonable to anticipate a wheelchair to survive for several years.
- An oxygen tank is another popular item on a list of medical supplies for DME.
- The goal of an oxygen tank is to provide a patient with a steady, forced oxygen flow. They are regularly utilized by patients who require breathing assistance devices. And finally, oxygen tanks may be recharged, making them long-lasting.
Additionally, prosthetics are durable medical equipment. Medically, prosthetics replace a patient’s motor function. Once fitted, they can usually be used for at least a few years. They are worn whenever the patient requires a motor function.
Additional Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
Walkers
Patient bed
Electric Scooters
Orthodics
Blood Sugar Monitoring Equipment
Canes
Crutches
Patient Is Raise
Traction Devices
Following are examples of durable medical equipment and their intended uses:
- This device is utilized during and after surgical procedures to drain wounds and remove bodily fluids.
- Hospital beds are a fundamental component of any medical setting. They are utilized for various medical treatments, including the transport of patients and surgical procedures.
- Infusion pumps: This medical device delivers critical fluids such as drugs and nutrition to the patient’s body is measured and regulated amounts.
- This device is used to administer medication to patients in a fine mist that can be inhaled via the lungs. It is typically administered to people with respiratory conditions.
- This apparatus applies strain to a specific portion of the bones or joints. Traction is used to stabilize and straighten bone fractures, rectify stiff and restricted joints, muscles, and tendons, and treat bone abnormalities.
- A crutch is a long stick with a crosspiece at its top end. It is used as a walking aid for permanently or temporarily unable to walk.
- Walkers: This medical device is utilized by elderly and disabled individuals who require balance-maintaining support and stability.
- Wheelchair: This is used by individuals who have difficulty walking independently or to transport patients.
- A walking stick is a stick used as a support device. It aids by transferring weight away from the injured leg and enhancing stability.
