Medical Equipment
Understand the equipment that supports your recovery.
Learn about mobility aids, hospital-grade equipment, bathroom safety, wound care, monitoring, and respiratory gear.
Topics
Mobility
Walkers, rollators, wheelchairs, canes, crutches, scooters, prosthetics, and orthotics.
Hospital-Grade Equipment
Hospital beds, lift chairs, Hoyer lifts, pressure-relief mattresses, and transfer aids.
Bathroom Safety
Shower chairs, grab bars, raised toilet seats, transfer benches, and non-slip flooring.
Wound Care
Dressings, sterile gauze, foam dressings, compression, skin protection, cleansers.
Monitoring Equipment
Blood pressure, pulse oximeters, thermometers, glucose meters, scales, heart-rate monitors.
Respiratory Equipment
Oxygen concentrators, nebulizers, CPAP, BiPAP, humidifiers, suction equipment.
Guides & articles
Choosing effective patient education materials: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
To help patients understand their health conditions and take better care of themselves, it's important to provide them with the right educational materials. This means first figuring out what the patient already knows and what they want to learn, as well as their preferred learning style. Then, healthcare providers should create a plan with the patient, setting realistic goals and choosing resources that fit their needs, like brochures, videos, or even one-on-one discussions. It's best to focus on the most important information, avoid scary tactics, and consider things like the patient's reading level and culture to make sure the information is easy to understand and helpful.
Source: MedlinePlus (NLM)
Older Adults and Management of Medical Devices in the Home: Five Requirements for Appropriate Use - PMC
This study looked at how older adults use medical devices at home after leaving the hospital. Researchers watched and talked to older adults, their caregivers, and home healthcare providers to understand what makes it easy or hard to use these devices. They found five key things needed for older adults to use medical devices correctly and safely at home. The study suggests that hospitals and home healthcare agencies need to work together better to make sure older adults can safely manage their medical devices once they are home.
Source: National Library of Medicine
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY AT HOME: SAFETY-RELATED ITEMS IN TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION - PMC
This article explains that medical device companies aren't doing enough to make sure their home-use products are safe for regular people to use. They often don't fully consider the risks of someone without medical training using complex devices like infusion pumps or ventilators at home. The instructions are often written for professionals, not patients, and companies don't actively seek feedback about problems people experience at home. The article suggests that manufacturers need to improve their product designs, risk assessments, and user instructions to better protect patients using these devices at home.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Perspectives on Use of Mobility Aids in a Diverse Population of Seniors: Implications for Intervention - PMC
Many older adults who could benefit from walking aids like canes or walkers don't use them because of how they feel about them. This study looked at how different groups of seniors (White, Black, and Hispanic) felt about using these aids. While everyone liked that aids helped them stay independent, many also felt embarrassed or that using an aid made them look old or sick. Black and Hispanic seniors were especially worried about using old, unsafe equipment and facing judgment, with Hispanic seniors often preferring help from people instead of devices. The study suggests that doctors should be more involved in recommending aids, and that making aids look better and cost less could help more seniors accept them.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Mobility Aids: MedlinePlus
Mobility aids are tools like crutches, canes, walkers, or wheelchairs that help people with injuries or disabilities move around more easily and safely. These aids can help you stay independent if you have trouble walking, are at risk of falling, or need to keep weight off an injured body part. It's important to work with a doctor or physical therapist to choose the right mobility aid and make sure it fits you properly, as an ill-fitting device can be unsafe.
Source: MedlinePlus (NLM)
The experience of using a hospital bed alternative at home among individuals with spinal cord injury: A case series - PMC
This study looked at how people with spinal cord injuries felt about using special adjustable beds at home instead of regular hospital beds. Four people with spinal cord injuries and one partner were interviewed, and their beds were tested for pressure. Everyone liked their adjustable beds, saying they felt more normal and were comfortable, and no one got bedsores. These beds also had features that helped them and their caregivers. The study suggests that these adjustable beds, along with other ways to protect skin, could be a good choice for some people with spinal cord injuries.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Chapter 11 Oxygen Therapy - Nursing Skills - NCBI Bookshelf
Our bodies need oxygen to live, and we get it from the air we breathe. Sometimes, due to illness, people can't get enough oxygen on their own and need extra help, called oxygen therapy. This therapy is like a medicine and needs to be prescribed by a doctor and carefully watched by a nurse. Nurses learn how to give oxygen safely, check how well it's working, and know what to do in emergencies. They also learn about conditions like hypoxia (not enough oxygen) and hypercapnia (too much carbon dioxide), and how to help patients with these issues.
Source: National Library of Medicine