Medical Supplies for Home Health Agencies: Equipment and Purchasing Guide

Complete Supply Guide for Home Health and Home Care Agencies

Home health agencies require a unique mix of portable, patient-friendly medical supplies. This guide covers essential equipment categories, purchasing strategies, and inventory management for home health providers.

Patient Care Supplies

Wound Care Products

• Basic dressings – Gauze, non-adherent pads, ABD pads
• Advanced wound care – Foam dressings, hydrocolloids, alginates
• Compression supplies – Bandages, stockings, wraps
• Wound cleansers – Saline, irrigation solutions
• Skin protectants – Barrier creams, liquid skin protectants
• Tape and securement – Paper, cloth, silicone tapes

Incontinence Products

• Adult briefs – Tab-style and pull-up varieties
• Underpads – Disposable and reusable bed pads
• Cleansing products – Perineal cleansers, wipes
• Skin care – Barrier creams, antifungal powders
• Odor control – Room deodorizers, bag deodorants

Ostomy Supplies

• Pouching systems (one-piece and two-piece)
• Skin barriers and wafers
• Adhesive removers and accessories
• Ostomy belts and support garments
• Irrigation supplies

Clinical Assessment Equipment

Vital Signs Monitoring

• Digital thermometers – Non-contact and oral/rectal types
• Blood pressure monitors – Automatic arm and wrist cuffs
• Pulse oximeters – Fingertip devices with carrying cases
• Glucometers – Blood glucose monitoring systems
• Scales – Portable digital scales for weight monitoring

Stethoscopes and Diagnostic Tools

• Quality stethoscopes with replacement parts
• Penlight for pupil assessment
• Tuning forks for neurological assessment
• Tape measures for wound measurement

Infection Control Supplies

Personal Protective Equipment

• Gloves – Nitrile (preferred), latex, vinyl options
• Masks – Surgical masks and N95 respirators
• Gowns – Disposable isolation gowns
• Eye protection – Safety glasses, face shields
• Shoe covers – Disposable booties

Hand Hygiene

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (travel size and refills)
• Antimicrobial hand soap
• Hand lotion (to prevent skin breakdown)
• Paper towels

Surface Disinfection

• EPA-registered disinfectant wipes
• Spray disinfectants
• Equipment covers and barriers
• Disposable stethoscope covers

Mobility and Durable Medical Equipment

Ambulation Aids

• Walkers – Standard, folding, wheeled, rollators
• Canes – Standard, quad, offset handle
• Crutches – Underarm and forearm styles
• Gait belts – Transfer and ambulation assistance

Wheelchairs and Transport

• Manual wheelchairs (standard, lightweight, transport)
• Wheelchair cushions and accessories
• Transfer boards and discs
• Hoyer lifts and slings (for bariatric patients)

Home Safety Equipment

• Grab bars and safety rails
• Shower chairs and tub benches
• Raised toilet seats
• Bed rails and trapeze bars
• Hospital beds and mattresses

Respiratory Supplies

Oxygen Therapy

• Portable oxygen concentrators – For ambulatory patients
• Home oxygen systems – Concentrators, liquid oxygen, cylinders
• Oxygen delivery – Nasal cannulas, masks, tubing
• Humidifiers – Bubble humidifiers for oxygen systems

Respiratory Care

• Nebulizers (portable and tabletop)
• Peak flow meters
• Incentive spirometers
• Suction equipment and catheters
• Tracheostomy supplies

Infusion and Medication Administration

IV Therapy Supplies

• IV catheters and start kits
• IV administration sets
• Saline flush syringes
• Dressings and securement devices
• Sharps containers

Enteral Nutrition

• Feeding tubes and extension sets
• Feeding pumps and gravity bags
• Tube feeding formulas
• Tube care supplies

Clinician Supply Bags

Essential Bag Contents

Standard home health nursing bag should contain:

• Vital signs equipment (BP cuff, thermometer, pulse ox, stethoscope)
• Assessment tools (penlight, tape measure)
• Hand hygiene supplies (sanitizer, gloves)
• Basic wound care supplies
• Documentation materials
• Biohazard bags
• Emergency contact information

Inventory Management for Home Health

Par Level Systems

Establish minimum and maximum inventory levels for each supply category based on:

• Patient census and acuity
• Vendor lead times
• Usage patterns and seasonality
• Storage capacity

Kit-Based Distribution

Consider pre-assembled supply kits for common visit types:

• Wound care visit kits
• IV start/maintenance kits
• Catheter care kits
• Admission/assessment kits

Purchasing Considerations

Cost Management

• Negotiate volume discounts with primary vendors
• Evaluate private-label alternatives
• Track supply costs per visit/episode
• Implement supply charge capture for billable items

Vendor Selection

• Delivery frequency and minimums
• Drop-ship options for patient homes
• Emergency/stat order capabilities
• Returns policy for unused supplies

LAC Health Home Health Solutions

LAC Health understands the unique needs of home health agencies. We offer competitive pricing, flexible ordering, and direct-to-patient shipping options. Our home health specialists can help optimize your supply program for better outcomes and cost efficiency. Contact us for a customized supply assessment.