A Checklist for Home Health Care Medical Devices

Please use this checklist to maintain your medical device safely and effectively in your home.

As a homecare medical device user, you should know how your device works.

• Read your patient education information.
• Ask your doctor or supplier questions about your device and take notes.
• Ask what you need to operate your device. Do you need electricity, running water, telephone or computer connections to operate your device?
• Check to see that your home is suited for your device. Do the stairs, doorways, bathrooms or house wiring present any problems?
• Keep Instructions for Use close to your device.
• Pay attention to alarms and error messages. Be familiar with what the alarms and error messages mean.
• Follow Instructions as given.
• Call supplier for help if you don't understand how your device works.
• Report to your doctor or device supplier any new problems you have with the device.

Take care of your device and operate it according to the manufacturer's directions.

• Read your instructions for taking care of your device and follow them for:
  • Cleaning
  • Replacing batteries, filters
  • Protecting your device (e.g. keep food and drinks away from your device)
• Can you safely take your device from home to school, work, church and vacation spots? Check ahead to see if these other places are suited for your device.
• Dispose of your medical device according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Always have a back-up plan and supplies.

• Make sure you know what to do if your device fails.
• Have emergency phone numbers for suppliers, homecare agency, doctor and manufacturer. Be sure that you have the after-hour phone numbers.
• If appropriate, keep extra batteries for your device. Know how to replace them.

Educate your family and caregivers about your devices.

• Include them in hospital planning meetings or any device demonstrations.
• Ask them to do a hands-on demonstration to show they can effectively use the device.

Keep children and pets away from your medical device.

• Don't let children play with dials, settings, on/off switches, tubings, machine vents or electrical cords.
• Don't allow pets to chew or play with electrical cords.
• Check with your supplier to see if you can turn off your device when not using it.

Contact your doctor and home health care team often to review your health condition.

• Check to see if there are new conditions that may change the way you or your caregiver use the device.
  • Are there changes in vision, hearing or ability to move?
  • Have you had an illness, new medicines or loss of feeling?

Report any serious injuries, deaths or close calls.

• Report these events to the FDA at 800-332-1088. The FDA will take action when needed to protect the public's health.
• Report these events to your supplier.

For additional government sources and information visit the CDRH Home Healthcare Committee.