Help Patients Travel With POCs
Traveling is the one of the great American pastimes. Sure gas prices might be high and air fare costly, as well, but we continue to satisfy our wanderlust any chance we can get. That includes oxygen patients.
In the past, oxygen travel options, such as liquid systems, only afforded oxygen users very limited mobility. Patients had to constantly keep in mind whether or not they would have enough oxygen to reach their destination. The net result was that their travel range and opportunities were greatly limited.
Fortunately, the development of portable oxygen concentrators gave patients the freedom of mobility they so desperately craved and deserved. POCs provide patients with all the oxygen they need without having to coordinate remote oxygen delivery, or simply forego a trip. Now they’re back on the road and ready to see the sights; whether they’re going on an overnighter or a two-week vacation. Now they can visit with family and friends and attend important social and professional events that they might not have been able to be present at before.
Likewise, POCs provide HME providers with a marvelous opportunity to serve up some instant travel expertise to patients and become an even more trusted advisor. Helping your patients get out on the road and enjoy life will cement your relationships with them like nothing else. Here are some tips and considerations to keep in mind when helping your patients travel with POCs:
Weight. While earlier POCs still weighed enough that they sometimes needed to be wheeled around, today’s systems are incredibly lightweight. Some weigh-in at five pounds, which is light enough to carry via a shoulder strap, and provide unfettered movement. If a patient is fit enough to carry one, consider this as an option. However, also take into account the length of travel and how much actual carrying would be involved. Patients might need an alternative method to get it around.
Power. Older POCs had very limited battery life, but today’s versions have been refined so that they last for several hours. Again, this translates to increased mobility, but in the same way patients had to keep track of their oxygen before POCs were available, today’s POC users must remain conscientious about power. Help your patients understand power capabilities and how to manage their power. Ensure your road warrior patients are savvy about they different ways that they can keep their POCs going: the internal batteries, external batteries, power outlets and any power supplies or adaptors they might need to keep on-hand when traveling to countries with different power outlets. Likewise, help them through the steps of powering their POC via adaptors for their car’s power outlets.
Air travel. Each airline has its own specific regulations regarding the use of POCs on flights. Most accept POCs, but do so on a model-by-model basis. (In fact, the FAA approves only certain POCs, as well.) At present, United Airlines remains the sole major air carrier that bans the use of POCs altogether. United allows patients to check them on as baggage for a United flight, but they cannot use them, and must request oxygen service from United instead.
Make sure that patients follow these guidelines when arranging air travel:
• They must inform the airline that they will be using a POC.
• They should carry a physician letter with them at all times and provide it for inspection, if requested. This will clear up many misunderstandings.
• They should bring enough fully charged batteries to power their POC for the flight plus extra to cover unanticipated delays.
• They should arrive at the airport to accommodate the extra time security screeners might need to inspect their POC.
• While waiting to board a flight, they can conserve battery power by using a nearby outlet.
As long as patients have a physician’s written statement allowing them to do so, patients can keep their POCs running during taxi, takeoff and landing.
They should be prepared for airport or airline staff who are ignorant or unclear on guidelines, and not be afraid to politely ask to speak with a supervisor.
Rentals. Consider offering rental units to patients who want to travel but are unsure if using a POC is for them. While their physician will obviously be involved in the process, this will also afford them the opportunity to first try out a unit in their home environment, so that they can ensure it provides adequate saturation and the right liter flows. Additionally, renting POCs could become an extension of your business, as well. Just make sure you can provide service remotely, and have enough far-flung referral partners to make sure patients are traveling with a safety net.
Referrals. In the same way you will want to support your patients by providing them with referrals when they are on the go, don’t forget to cultivate a crop of referral contacts that can direct business to you, as well. Good opportunities include travel agents and organizers of travel packages that might cater to one or more of your patient groups. Make sure those partners are aware you can help their clients enjoy more of their services through your POC services.
Points to take away:• Consider weight issues where the patient is concerned.
• Educate patients on how to manage their power.
• Ensure patients are up-to-speed on air travel issues and that their POC is approved by both the FAA and their airline for travel.
• Consider renting out POCs to qualified patients both for test drives and as a travel service.
• Forge referral partners to not only support your clients when they’re traveling, but to drive business back to you.
Learn MoreVarious vendors offer guidelines on which airlines will accept their POCs, and the airlines provide similar information, as well. Visit their web sites for the full details.
To help locate providers in other areas that can help your patients when they’re traveling, do a search on the Case Management Resource Guide web site at www.cmrg.com.
The SeaPuffers is an organization that organizes cruises specifically for oxygen patients. Read more at www.seapuffers.com.
This article originally appeared in the July 2008 issue of HME Business.