What to do when the power goes down...

This article from the AP, rightly points out the various issues faced by home patients in the event of a catastrophic power outage.  It is but one of the roles that home oxygen companies play that is continually overlooked by federal regulators and those that set pricing for the services we provide.  In the event of a pending emergency, Cape Medical Supply maintains a "Hot List" which we use to assess how many of our patients require immediate attention.  Typically we try to get to these patients prior to any weather emergency, so we can ensure they have adequate back-up available, which is not dependent on a power source.

This critical function of the companies who do what we do is too often overlooked, is not reimbursed, and remains critical to the smooth functioning of the community; if we don't take care of them they flood into emergency rooms, where I am quite sure the services they receive are reimbursed, and dramatically more expensive than that which they receive at home...frequently a one night stay in a hospital is more expensive than an entire year on home oxygen - and yes, there is no typo there, one night in a hospital is more expensive than a whole year on home oxygen.

While we are discussing the future of the healthcare system in this country let's be sure to consider where patients want to be and where there needs are most efficiently met...in a rational conversation using those boundaries homecare will inevitably come out as a clear winner and the path to the future.