What supplies/equipment do I have to provide for home health nursing?

jmn126 · Aug 14, 2011

most agencies supply the nurse with all the needed equipment,,now i have my own stetescope as i like mine better than the one they give out....

RNMom2010 · Aug 15, 2011

I have my own stethoscope, and I purchased a BP cuff that I love. Everything else is provided, and I re-stock as needed with lab and wound care supplies.

caliotter3 · Aug 15, 2011

Minimum, your own stethoscope. To that add a BP cuff. Although some agencies provide these items to the case or to individual nurses, you can't count on them being available. Some nurses carry their own thermometers with disposable sheaths, and perhaps an O2 sat device. However, these items should be provided in the home.

50kn · Aug 16, 2011

I recently had an opportunity to shadow a Home Health nurse. When I asked the nurse, she told me that every nurse who works at the agency needs to prepare her/his own BP machine, thermometer, O2sat, Accucheck, stethoscope, textable cell phone, GPS, etc. Until I read this thread I thought that every HH agency requires their nurses to buy their own equipment for everything.

KateRN1 · Aug 16, 2011

We will provide pusle oximeter, but that's pretty much it. Nurses are expected to have their own thermometer, blood pressure cuff, and stethoscope for vital signs. Agency policy will vary on the blood glucose meter. Some places will have the nurse carry a "nurse kit," others do not allow this due to regulations dealing with the cleaning and QC. Textable cell phone and GPS are totally optional although very handy. I don't know of any agency that provides a cell phone (unless it's also a POC device) or a GPS for staff. I do know of one agency that has fleet vehicles, but don't know if they include a GPS or not.

iggywench, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2011

We have to provide our own stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, thermometer, and GPS. The agency provides a pulse oximeter, glucometer, and textable cell phone. Medical supplies are available at the office, and I go in about once a week to restock and turn in time sheets. I carry around a tub of supplies, and leave some at my regular patients' houses.

tainted1972, ASN, RN · Aug 17, 2011

This topic is very helpful, I am thinking about getting into home healthcare myself. My question is. Is it possible to get reimbursed for these items? Do you claim them on your taxes or just do the standard deductions? What about mileage?

caliotter3 · Aug 17, 2011

Your employer won't reimburse you. You can claim this stuff on your taxes to the extent that you itemize and they meet the criteria. Mileage can be claimed on taxes with the claim for business use of car; all your visits except the beginning and the end. You subtract the distance from your home to your office from the beginning and the end of your work day. All mileage in between can be claimed. You keep a logbook. This is if your employer does not pay you mileage. If they pay you mileage, you can only deduct the difference between that and the IRS rate. Of course, all of this should be discussed with a tax professional.

50kn · Aug 17, 2011

I was beginning to think the same thing, like mileage, depreciation, etc. When we claim tax deduction for mileage what is the best way to prove how much you’ve drove? And if a car is used almost every day with so many miles, the car can be depreciated quickly and you might need to buy the next car soon.

caliotter3 · Aug 17, 2011

Keep a strict log and write down your odometer readings at each point.

BunnyBSN · Aug 20, 2011

My agency provides everything, except a stethoscope, phone, or a GPS. Oximeter, BP cuff, disposable thermometers, gloves, bags, supplies are available for nurses. Agency glucometers in stock if needed, PT/INR machines. But then again we are a hospital-based home care agency.