According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index shows an overall increase in the cost of goods and services and more specifically, since January 2023 consumers are experiencing a more than 1% increase in just medical care costs alone. Here in Bexar County, there are approximately 293,666 or 91% of the total number of individuals in Bexar with a disability are living 100% below the poverty level according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2023. These factors too often force individuals to decide between paying their monthly living expenses or their medical bills.
Upcycling medical equipment involves several labor-intensive steps to ensure the equipment is safe and functional for reuse.
Collection Workers collect used medical equipment from various sources, such as hospitals, assisted living centers, durable medical equipment companies, partner agencies, and individuals.
Assessment Technicians evaluate the condition of the equipment to determine if it can be repaired or refurbished. This includes checking for any damage, wear and tear, and ensuring all parts are present.
Disinfection The equipment is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to remove any contaminants or infectious materials. This step is crucial to ensure the safety of future users.
Repair and Refurbishment Skilled technicians repair any damaged parts and refurbish the equipment to restore it to a functional state. This may involve replacing worn-out components, recalibrating devices, and performing safety checks.
Sanitization After repairs, the equipment undergoes a final sanitization process to meet health and safety standards. This ensures that the equipment is safe for use by individuals with medical needs.
Quality Control Quality control specialists inspect the refurbished equipment to ensure it meets all safety and performance standards. Any equipment that does not pass inspection is either reworked or discarded.
Distribution The refurbished equipment is then distributed to individuals in need. This step involves coordinating with healthcare providers, managing inventory, and ensuring that recipients receive the correct equipment.
Key Benefits of Equitable Access to Medical Equipment
Costs Savings – Cost is a limiting factor in accessing care if an individual is un- or under-employed, even with health insurance. As the need for access to medical equipment increases, collaborative support for more innovative solutions will help reduce the financial burden and amount of time it takes to access medical equipment needed.
Remaining and/or Returning to the Workforce – According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2023, more than 43% of individuals with disabilities in Bexar County are not currently employed within the labor force. This percentage could be impacted by improving access to the medical equipment needed to remain at or return to work.
Upcycling & Conservation – Upcycling and refurbishing medical equipment items can increase access to the needed medical equipment while also keeping unsanitary and/or biohazardous equipment out of untrained hands, individual circulation, and/or landfills.
Content provided by Project MEND, learn more HERE
Project MEND is the ONLY Medical Equipment Reuse nonprofit organization licensed by the State of Texas the second largest in the country. After being evaluated for its safe use, the medical equipment is professionally cleaned, repaired (if needed), refurbished, and sanitized to the State of Texas standard, before being distributed to individuals in need. The only required pieces of information to receive medical equipment are a Doctor’s Prescription (Rx) or Letter of Medical Necessity from a licensed healthcare provider without income thresholds, insurance requirements, or age limits.
