REGULATION OF HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT MEDICATION PRODUCTS AND DEVICES

To advocate for consistent regulatory oversight of all home medical equipment, with the goals of continuity of care, patient safety, and appropriate pharmacist involvement whenever equipment is used for medication administration; further,

To monitor the impact of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services quality standards on the accreditation of suppliers of medication-related durable medical equipment and supplies.

This policy was reviewed in 2015 by the Council on Public Policy and by the Board of Directors and was found to still be appropriate.

Rationale

Federal and state regulation of home medical equipment (HME) and durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers creates a gap in pharmacist review and input in medication-related aspects of the services these suppliers provide to patients, particularly when a patient is discharged from the hospital to the home. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides conditions of participation for home health services, and states may regulate HME and DME suppliers, home health agencies, and suppliers of medical gases. Furthermore, CMS has proposed surety bond requirements for pharmacies that are also DME suppliers. The Council recommended and the Board and House agreed that ASHP should advocate for consistent regulatory oversight of these medication-related aspects so that this medication-use process ensures patient safety, improves continuity of care, and guarantees appropriate pharmacist involvement.