Consider Donating Used Medical Equipment
‘Tis the season for giving…
Do you own medical equipment you no longer use?
If so, PHS is more than happy to help you find a home for it. The same is true for any extra, perfectly good medical supplies and formula you no longer need.
Used medical equipment and devices that are in good working order, and supplies and formula that are unopened, unused, and not expired can be donated locally or to countries around the world to those in need.
What can be donated?
Certain pieces of equipment used by PHS patients convert to being patient-owned after a period of time determined by the insurance provider (how long depends on the provider and the piece of equipment).
Some of the items that often become property of PHS patient families include:
- Food pumps
- Oximeters
- Suction machines
- Humidifiers
- Cough Assists
- Percussors
- Compressors
- CPAP
- Apnea monitor
- Airway pressure alarms
- BiLevel
- Dinamaps
Some examples of commonly donated supply items include:
- Suction catheters
- Trach tubes
- Oximeter probes
- Formula
Many times, after an item converts to being patient-owned, the patient is weaned off that piece of equipment. This leaves the family with a functioning piece of equipment that they own but no longer use. Or on some occasions, a patient passes on, and again, the family owns equipment that is not used.
In these situations, families can donate their unused medical equipment to improve the health and quality of life for others in need.
Where can I donate my unused medical equipment?
While there are a number of worthy organizations, PHS currently donates medical equipment and supplies to these two groups:
- Global Health Ministries is a non-profit organization that provides supplies and equipment for those in need around the world. Established in 1989, it serves thousands of people with little or no access to professional health care. The GHM website includes a list of donation guidelines and needed supplies.
- The second organization, Jamaica Minnesota Organization (JMO) provides medical supplies to residents of Jamaica through a network in Minnesota for Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica to positively impact social and economic conditions in that country.
How do I make a donation?
You can contact Global Health Ministries directly at http://www.ghm.org/howtohelp/supplies.html.
Do you own medical equipment or supplies that no longer use or need? Have you ever donated medical equipment or supplies? What has been your experience? Do you have suggestions for other worthwhile organizations that take donated medical equipment or supplies? We’d love to hear from you.
Addition 2/7/2011: Another great organization that PHS recently heard of is the Oley Foundation. They will take food pumps, tubing and other miscellaneous supply items. You can check out the Oley Foundation’s Equipment-Supply Exchange at www.oley.org for more information on donating equipment.
Originally published: December 17, 2010