HME Providers Prepared for Flu

ARLINGTON, Va.–More than half (53 percent) of the nation’s home
medical equipment and service providers have formal plans to
respond to a pandemic flu and another 23 percent have stockpiled
N95 masks or other supplies related to a flu pandemic, according to
a survey conducted by the American Association for Homecare.
Two-thirds say they are coordinating or communicating with other
organizations in their communities to prepare for a pandemic.
 
The 147 home care providers that responded to the survey, conducted
April 30 and May 1, collectively serve more than 2.5 million
patients through more than 1,000 branch locations across 50
states.
 
“Home-based care is a centerpiece of the national pandemic flu
response and in a pandemic situation, home medical equipment
personnel will be on the front lines,” said Tyler J. Wilson,
president of the Association. “Our members have experience
responding to weather-related emergencies and power outages, which
present risks to patients who require oxygen through devices that
require electricity. A pandemic flu presents a different set of
challenges, but the home medical sector has prepared for
them.”
 
Some home care providers have had pandemic flu plans and training
dating back several years. Pat Northheimer, clinical director at
Cole Care in Coudersport, Pa., commented, “We had a pandemic flu
drill three years ago that involved hospitals and local EMS.
Projections were made with a scenario that worsened each day. It
was very helpful in showing us just how bad things could get if the
projections were accurate. The drill went into great detail.”
 
Apria Healthcare, a national home medical equipment and service
provider headquartered in Lake Forest, Calif., tests emergency
preparedness plans in its 500 locations at least annually and
consults with local or state disaster preparedness
authorities.
 
Bob McLellan, general manager of Pacific Coast Medical Supply,
which operates one branch, in Astoria, Oregon, said, “We have
notified local hospital, law enforcement, fire departments, and our
local am radio station of our status and availability of services
during emergencies.”
 
For more on HME providers’ role in responding to a pandemic,
see Flu Outbreak Underscores Home Care’s Role.