14 February 2011

Waikato District Health Board is appealing to its previous and current patients to return hospital equipment once they’re finished with it.

Over a three month period, Waikato Hospital’s Physiotherapy Department loses anywhere from 100-150 pairs of crutches through patients not returning them.

Similarly, the Occupational Therapy Department loses about 150 pieces of general equipment every three months.

“And these items don’t come at a small price,” says Waikato Hospital senior occupational therapist Veronica Berry.

“Crutches have a replacement value of $55 to the organisation, while Occupational Therapy equipment replacement is even more expensive; for example shower stools are $120 each, over-toilet frames $150, bath transfer benches $350, hip chair $400 and walking frame $250 – to name a few."

Not only is it unfair on staff and patients who have to scramble to find this equipment when it’s needed, but it has a flow-on effect and impacts other areas of care, says Ms Berry.

“Other than the financial burden, not having the equipment we need to discharge a patient can lead to delayed discharge meaning that patients can’t get home as soon as they’d like.

"It may also mean those patients are taking up hospital beds longer than necessary because it’s unsafe to discharge them without a particular piece of equipment needed for their recovery.”

If people have Health Waikato owned equipment (indicated by a bright orange or pink sticker), they should call (07) 839 0681 to organise its return.

ENDS