GUIDE TO WRITING PRESCRIPTIONS FOR MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

 

GIVE ALL SCRIPTS FOR DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT TO PCG RN

ALL PRESCRIPTIONS SHOULD CONTAIN:

  • Patient’s name and MR #  (best option is to place pt. sticker on Rx if seen that day)
  • Qualifying diagnosis
  • Patient height and weight

CANE

  • Indicate whether straight cane, quad cane (with small or large base), or juvenile cane (for patients under 5’1”).

WHEELCHAIRS

  • Indicate type of wheelchair:
    • Standard w/c: for patients who are able to self-propel
    • Companion w/c: for patients who are unable to self-propel due to physical or cognitive conditions.  Rx must state “Patient unable to self-propel in a standard w/c” and have supporting diagnosis.
    • Lightweight w/c: for patients who are able to self propel and weigh under 250 lbs.
  • MD/APN must indicate in the most recent clinic note that patient requires w/c, type of w/c needed, and inability to self-propel if ordering companion w/c

HOSPITAL BEDS

  • Indicate “Hospital bed – semi-electric with side rails” on Rx.
  • Rx must state that patient “requires frequent re-positioning not feasible in a regular bed”
  • Also requires that above information be written on most recent clinic note

BEDSIDE COMMODE

  • Rx must state that patient is bed bound or room bound, that lavatory is on a separate floor from patient’s living space, or that there is no indoor lavatory.

NUTRITIONAL PRODUCTS

  • Rx must indicate type of product (e.g., Ensure, Boost, Glucerna), number of cans/day, and monthly refills.
  • In addition to dx(s), any significant weight loss should be included on Rx.

INCONTINENCE SUPPLIES

  • Must specify types of supplies ordered.  Different products (e.g., Depends, pull-ups, blue pads) can be included on the same Rx but should be written on different lines.
  • Rx should indicate size of garment, with monthly (or prn) refills; usual # is 150.

HOME OXYGEN

  • Home Oxygen: Rx should indicate liter flow and # of hours needed.  Rx must include saturation scores from most recent reading.
  • Nebulizer: Rx should include order of machine and nebulizer medication on separate lines.