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.