Advance Directives Policy

Advantage Home Medical Equipment will provide you with a copy of your Bill of Rights and shall honor those rights. We understand that the formulation of Advance Directives and/or Living Wills is part of your rights as a patient. Our staff will not assist you in the formulation of Advance Directives; we advise you to contact your physician, attorney, and/or clergy to assist in the formulation of such directives. The staff of Advantage Home Medical Equipment will honor those Advance Directives that have been directed to us by you, to the best of our ability. If we are asked to withdraw (pick up) the medical equipment that may be considered life sustaining, we will do so only with written direction from the physician that is implementing your written Advanced Directive; and only after a family member or the physician has turned off the equipment and removed it from the patient. We hope that you understand this policy and should you have any questions please call our professional staff to discuss your concerns.

In an emergency situation where medical assistance is required, employees of Advantage Home Medical Equipment will call 911 and wait for emergency medical assistance to arrive. If Advantage Home Medical Equipment has been informed by the patient that an Advance Directive has been made by the patient indicating a wish not to be resuscitated, the Advantage Home Medical Equipment employee will inform the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) that, to the best of the employee’s knowledge, an Advance Directive exists. It is the patient’s or the caregiver’s responsibility to make the Advance Directive document readily available.

Patient Rights

The patient has the right to:

• refuse delivery of any and all equipment.
• prompt delivery and to be fully informed on the use and care of all Advantage Home Medical Equipment’s equipment in their home.
• expect that all information will be kept in strictest confidence.
• have any questions answered promptly, correctly, and courteously.
• be informed of all options if the need to transfer care arises.
• expect a resolution to any problem or complaint.
• know that if he/she is found unresponsive, advantage home medical equipment’s policy is for staff to call 911 for emergency medical intervention.
• express dissatisfaction and suggest changes without coercion, discrimination, reprisal, or unreasonable interruption in service.

Patient Responsibilities

The patient has the responsibility to:

• inform Advantage Home Medical Equipment of any change in their prescription.
• follow instruction(s) in care and use of all equipment.
• keep Advantage Home Medical Equipment informed of any changes in address, doctor, insurance carrier, and prescription.
• order supplies or refills on a timely basis to accommodate reasonable delivery.
• have someone at home on the day delivery is scheduled.
• pay all invoices that are due (not covered by their insurance).
• understand that all equipment is rented strictly by the month.
• return equipment when not in use.
• notify the president of any Advance Directive.