By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Durable medical equipment is something a lot of patients don't think about until they need it. However, Health E-Quip did have more demand during the pandemic.
"During COVID, obviously, we saw, definitely a really large uptick in the number of patients requiring oxygen therapy," said Bill Giersch, Chief Administrative Officer. "As a matter of fact, our patient load, we're serving about 500 patients. During COVID peak, we were serving probably closer to 650."
Respiratory Therapist Todd Hawk knows his job is to increase a patient's peace of mind.
"We had no idea how much it would change our role," Hawk said. "My role as a respiratory therapist for somebody getting equipment, it's to make them more comfortable with that equipment when they go home withit than when they came. It's scary when you get diagnosed and you say this is going to change every step of my sleep, every thing that I do."
Respiratory Therapist Kristen Yoder notes that it is the responsibility of Health E-Quip to make sure that your equipment is working as designed and according to the doctor's prescription.
"When it comes to oxygen, there is a specific oxygen requirement," Yoder said. "We can do portable testing, which is a whole other ballgame to address."
Health E-Quip is the only medical equipment company in Central Kansas with a certified repair center.