Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

2024

Faculty Mentor

Scott Hutchison

Abstract

Occupational Therapy plays a key role in evaluating and recommending Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and Adaptive Equipment (AE). The utilization of appropriate, efficient, and safe equipment referrals is crucial for maximizing functional independence and setting patients up for success in their home environments. However, not all pieces of equipment are readily accessible through insurance coverage, out-of-pocket expenses, or knowledge of community resources creating a gap in accessible DME and AE resources for under/uninsured vulnerable populations (Martinez et al., 2021).

From January – April 2024, a quality improvement (QI) project was conducted in partnership with PHC Home Health and DME to improve an existing reused equipment storage facility (Jean’s Fund) and increase healthcare professionals' awareness of existing community resources for reused equipment. PHC Home Health staff were observed during patient encounters, interviewed one-on-one, and given surveys (n=2) to test and provide feedback on multiple online inventory systems developed to enhance Jean’s Fund organization and accessibility. Following inventory development and implementation, an easy-to-replicate Reused Equipment Toolkit was created with access to a compilation of local and statewide reused equipment community resources, access to free online inventory system templates created in Google applications, and an accompanying tutorial video to walk healthcare professionals through inventory system setup.

The Reused Equipment Toolkit was disseminated in an In-service format to PHC Home Health Staff (n=11), The Villages Skilled Nursing Facility Staff (n=14), MUSC Acute Care OT Staff (n=6), and Roper Rehabilitation Acute Rehab. Staff (n=9). The outcomes for the In-Services were (95%) Strongly Agree, (~3%) Agree and (~2%) Strongly Disagree to the statements “This presentation provided me with information that I found helpful”. In Conclusion, the Reused Equipment Toolkit was well received by most health care professionals involved in this QI project. While the data collected was limited in scope, the implications of these findings are promising first steps for increasing the utilization of existing reused equipment resources and the possible development of additional reused equipment inventories throughout the community.

Source: Martinez, C. I., Sanchez, A. N., Stampas, A., Woo, J., & Verduzco-Gutierrez, M. (2021). Demographics and durable medical equipment needs of persons with disabilities in a charitable rehabilitation clinic. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 100(3), 288-291. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0000000000001553

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