Small Oversights, Big Claims: Common HME Equipment Safety Risks Every Provider Should Know

In the home medical equipment (HME) industry, your products help patients maintain mobility, independence, and quality of life. But every wheelchair, scooter, hospital bed, oxygen concentrator, and mobility aid that leaves your facility also carries risk. While equipment manufacturers play a critical role in product safety, HME providers have an equally important responsibility: ensuring equipment is delivered safely, maintained properly, and accompanied by clear patient instruction.

Many of the claims we see don't stem from defective equipment. Instead, they often involve improper use, inadequate training, missing safety features, or a lack of documentation showing that patients were properly instructed. As your insurance partner, we encourage HME business owners to view equipment safety as a core component of their risk management strategy, not just a customer service function.

Patient Education Is One of Your Strongest Risk Controls

A surprising number of incidents occur because patients or caregivers simply don't understand how to use equipment safely. In today's digital world, many providers rely on electronic instructions or assume patients will seek out information online. Unfortunately, that assumption can create significant liability exposure.

Many HME patients are older adults, caregivers, or individuals who may not be comfortable accessing online resources. Providing only a QR code, website link, or electronic manual may not be enough. Whenever possible, providers should:

• Supply a complete printed equipment manual.

• Review key safety features during setup and delivery.

• Demonstrate proper operation of the equipment.

• Give patients an opportunity to ask questions.

• Document that education was provided.

For rented and re-rented equipment, this becomes even more important. Never assume a previous user received proper instruction or that a returning customer remembers how to safely operate the device.

The Importance of Written Documentation

From a risk management standpoint, one of the most effective tools you can implement is a patient instruction checklist. Every delivery should include documentation confirming:

• Equipment was inspected prior to delivery.

• Safety features were reviewed.

• The patient or caregiver received a manual.

• Operating instructions were demonstrated.

• Maintenance and charging requirements were explained.

• Questions were answered.

Most importantly, obtain a signed acknowledgment from the patient or caregiver stating:

"I have received and reviewed the instruction materials for this equipment and have been instructed on its safe operation."

However, a signature alone is not enough. The checklist itself should be completed and reviewed to verify that every step of the education process occurred. In the event of a claim, detailed documentation can help demonstrate that your organization took reasonable steps to promote safe equipment use.

Wheelchairs: Safety Features Only Work If They're Used

Wheelchairs remain one of the most commonly used mobility devices in the HME industry, yet some of their most important safety features are often ignored or removed.Two examples are:

Anti-Tippers

Anti-tip devices are designed to help prevent wheelchairs from tipping backward. Unfortunately, users sometimes remove them because they believe they interfere with maneuverability or convenience.

Without anti-tippers, the risk of a backward tip-over increases significantly, potentially leading to serious head, neck, or spinal injuries.

Seat Belts

Many wheelchair users choose not to use seat belts, particularly if they are transferring frequently throughout the day. Others remove them entirely during ownership or rental periods.

Seat belts can help improve stability and reduce injuries during transport, sudden movements, or falls. Providers should ensure patients understand the purpose of these safety features and the consequences of removing them.

Education and documentation should specifically address any removable safety component and emphasize that modifications can increase injury risk.

Electrical Hazards: A Common but Overlooked Fire Risk

Power wheelchairs, scooters, oxygen concentrators, hospital beds, lift chairs, and other electrically powered equipment can create fire hazards when not maintained properly. One frequent issue involves:

• Bent power cords

• Pinched cords

• Frayed wiring

• Damaged extension cords

• Chargers that are improperly stored or used

Over time, damaged electrical cords can generate heat, spark, or fail altogether, potentially causing fires and property damage. Providers should educate patients on:

• Inspecting cords regularly.

• Avoiding placing cords under furniture.

• Preventing cords from being bent sharply.

• Replacing damaged power supplies immediately.

• Using manufacturer-approved charging equipment.

Rental equipment should undergo documented inspections before every delivery and again when returned.

Scooter Risks Continue to Grow

Mobility scooters have become increasingly common, particularly as providers expand into multiple locations and larger rental operations. While scooters provide tremendous independence, they also create a unique set of liability concerns.

Many users have little or no previous experience operating a scooter. Unlike wheelchairs, scooters require users to understand:

• Turning radius and stability.

• Safe speeds.

• Weight limits.

• Inclines and ramps.

• Battery charging procedures.

• Pedestrian awareness.

We've all seen mobility scooters used in grocery stores and retail environments. Unfortunately, accidents can occur when operators are unfamiliar with controls, underestimate stopping distances, or operate equipment in crowded spaces. For rental scooters, training should never be treated as optional. Providers should:

• Demonstrate operation before releasing equipment.

• Review safe driving practices.

• Explain charging procedures.

• Discuss environmental hazards such as curbs, slopes, and uneven surfaces.

• Document that instruction occurred.

As scooter rentals become more common across multiple locations, consistency in training and documentation becomes critical. Every location should follow the same standardized delivery and education procedures.

Safety Is More Than Compliance

Risk management isn't simply about meeting regulatory requirements, it's about preventing injuries before they occur. A well-documented safety process helps protect:

• Patients

• Caregivers

• Employees

• Your reputation

• Your business

When incidents occur, plaintiff attorneys often focus on whether adequate instructions were provided, whether warnings were communicated, and whether the provider can prove the patient was properly educated. In many cases, strong documentation and consistent training procedures become key components of the defense.

Final Thoughts

The safest equipment in the world can still cause injuries if users aren't properly trained. Whether you're delivering a wheelchair, power scooter, oxygen concentrator, or hospital bed, every interaction presents an opportunity to reduce risk.

By providing complete manuals, emphasizing hands-on education, documenting instruction with signed checklists, and reinforcing the importance of built-in safety features, HME providers can significantly reduce claim exposure while improving patient outcomes.

At the end of the day, effective risk management isn't just about protecting your business—it's about helping patients use their equipment safely and confidently every time they rely on it.