Patient-Centric Innovation: How Rentals Facilitate the "Hospital at Home" Model

The process of recovering from surgery, an illness, an injury, or a hospital visit can be difficult, especially if your house is not set up to accommodate your temporary needs for health. Many families believe that they will have to buy a lot of medical equipment because it seems like there isn’t anything else to rent. But, the good news is that there are many things you need for temporary recovery which can be rented for low-cost.

Rentals of medical equipment including hospital beds and wheelchairs; oxygen concentrators and lift recliners etc. Are changing the way patients recover at home. With rentals, families can get access to high-quality equipment for their temporary needs in healthcare at a very low upfront cost compared to buying these types of equipment.

This article will outline the key elements of a home recovery kit and explain the medical equipment you probably did not know was available for rent.

Why do i need a home recovery kit?

Beyond just providing comfort, a well-thought-out home recovery kit can contribute to safer recovery processes; reduce the burden of caregiving; and lead to less potential complications. During recovery at home, patients typically require assistance for mobility, respiration, sleep and performing daily living functions.

Equipment that supports each area listed above can:

  • Lessen the likelihood of falling/serious injuries

  • Improve the level of comfort/sleep

  • Increase independence during recovery

  • Assist family caregivers in decreasing the burden of caring for patients recovering at home

  • Provide better outcomes/faster healing/rehabilitation

  • Decrease the number of unneeded hospital readmission

Now let’s review some of the equipment that can have a huge impact on improving your recovery experience.

1. Hospital beds: the most important piece of home recovery equipment

Most people relate hospital beds with hospitals, however hospital beds are also One of the best options for a piece of equipment for patients to recover at home.

Reasons to rent a hospital bed

  • Allow adjustable positioning to enhance comfort

  • Enable easy transfer into/out of bed

  • Create improved circulation/breathing due to elevation

  • Provide easier caregiver lifting requirements (when required)

  • Provide enhanced safety through the use of siderails

When should you rent a hospital bed?

  • Patients who have undergone surgical procedures (especially major surgeries)

  • Senior citizens who cannot move around easily

  • Any individual who has suffered serious injury

  • Patients who receive ongoing care in their homes

2. Medical mattresses for Pressure prevention

Typically, patients recovering from lengthy periods in bed, will find that their normal mattress does not provide sufficient support.

Options that are available through rentals:

  • Pressure relief mattresses

  • Alternating air mattresses

  • Low-air-loss systems

  • Therapeutic foam mattresses

All of the mattresses mentioned above assist in preventing Pressure ulcers and provide greater overall comfort during recovery.

3. Wheelchairs for temporary support of mobility

While all mobility issues don’t necessitate purchasing a wheelchair, wheelchair rentals offer an excellent option for short-term needs related to mobility for patients recovering at home.

Benefits of renting a wheelchair:

  • Short term affordable support for mobility

  • Ability to transport to doctor’s appointments/appointments with specialists

  • Increased ability for independence

  • Lessened reliance on caregivers for assistance

Wheelchairs are generally rented to patients who have recently undergone an orthopedic procedure/injury/rehabilitative treatment.

4. Oxygen concentrators for supplemental respiratory support at home

Home-based patients requiring supplemental oxygen post-respiratory illness, or post-surgery may require portable oxygen concentrators at home.

Why rent an oxygen concentrator?

  • Continuous flow of oxygen

  • Quietly operates

  • Much cheaper than purchasing

  • Setup and maintenance provided by professionals

Portable oxygen concentrators are regularly used by patients recovering from pneumonia/COPD exacerbations/respiratory complications associated with COVID/coronary artery disease.

5. Lift recliners: provide both comfort & increased independence

One of the least considered recovery aid is the power lift recliner.

Advantages of using power lift recliners for rentals:

  • Assists user in standing securely

  • Lessens strain on the knees/hips

  • Provides comfortable position sitting upright/lying down throughout the day

  • Improves Blood flow/relaxation

Lift recliners greatly increase comfort and independence in daily life for senior citizen populations/users who lack physical strength.

6. Walkers and rollators

Mobility aids are extremely important in rehabilitation and recovery.

Common types of rental walking aids:

  • Basic Walkers

  • Collapsible Walkers

  • Rollators with built-in seating

  • Heavy duty walking aids

These aids provide security/confidence for patients while walking thus reducing their likelihood of taking dangerous falls.

7. Patient lifts for safe transferring between positions

Transferring a patient between bed/chair/wheelchair/restroom can be very physically taxing and dangerous to both patients and caregivers.

Types of portable patient lift rentals:

  • Portable electric patient lifts

  • Manual patient lifts

  • Sit-to-stand patient lifts

Patient lifts can protect patients/caregivers from harm/injury during daily care duties.

8. Bathrooms safety equipment and Bedside Commodes

Bathrooms pose a great threat for falls during recovery.

Useful items to rent:

  • Bedside Commodes

  • Shower chairs

  • Toilet risers

  • Handrails/grab bars

  • Transfer benches

Using the small investments above will greatly decrease the risks of accidents/injuries.

9. Alternative forms of mobility including Knee Scooters

Knee scooter’s can be an effective replacement for crutches when dealing with foot/ankle/lower leg injuries.

Why do patients like Knee Scooters so much?:

  • More comfortable

  • Easier to maneuver

  • Decreases arm strain

  • Increases stability

They’re especially liked by people recovering from foot surgery/fractures.

10. Home-based monitoring equipment

Recovery plans often include Continuous monitoring of health indicators using various pieces of equipment.

Common devices used in rentals:

  • Monitors Blood Pressure

  • Measures pulse rate and oxygen saturation levels in Blood

  • Monitors vital signs through computer systems

  • Portable suction devices

These pieces of equipment enable patients/caregivers to communicate critical information about the health status of patients to their physicians/providers.

Financial Benefits to renting medical equipment

Buying medical equipment can be costly, especially when the requirement is temporary.

Medical equipment rentals offer several advantages:

  • Save money on initial costs of medical equipment purchases

  • Get access to top quality medical equipment

  • Exchange/easily upgrade to new/different types of medical equipment based upon evolving needs

  • No longer worry about where to store medical equipment once your recovery is over

  • Get professional service/maintenance support for your medical equipment rentals

For many families, renting allows them the necessary flexibility during unpredictable recovery times.

Your customized home recovery kit

Each patient has unique needs. When considering whether to rent equipment, ask yourself:

What is your patient's level of mobility? Will your patient be confined to bed for prolonged periods? Does your patient need supplemental oxygen? Is bathroom safety a priority? What type of support will your caregivers require?

With the input from your physician/provider and/or medical equipment rental company, you should be able to decide which product(s) would work best for your specific needs.

Concluding comments on how a home recovery kit can help your recovery experience

Fortunately, many essential pieces of medical equipment are now available for rent allowing families to obtain the highest quality of care possible at a price point never seen before. From hospital beds and Pressure relieving mattresses to oxygen concentrators, wheelchairs, and lift recliners, today’s medical rental companies are offering families a chance to create a safe/recovery friendly environment at their houses without having to bear the financial burden of purchasing expensive equipment.

Remember, creating a comprehensive home recovery kit may be far easier—and more affordable—than you could have imagined when preparing to leave a hospital.



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