Same-day & next-day delivery across Broward, Palm Beach, Miami-Dade

954-332-4378 Fax 954-493-1513 Pay My Bill
954-332-4378 Submit Referral
Caregiver Guides

Coming Home From the Hospital: A Medical Equipment Checklist

October 11, 2026 · 5 min read · By the Ace Medical Supplies team

Hospital discharges often happen quickly, sometimes with only a few hours' notice. Having the right equipment in place before your loved one walks (or rolls) through the door makes the first days home much safer. Use this checklist to talk with the hospital team.

Before discharge: questions to ask

  • Will they be able to walk on their own, or will they need a walker, wheelchair or help with transfers?
  • Can they climb stairs and get in and out of a regular bed?
  • Will they need a nebulizer or other breathing equipment? (If oxygen is prescribed, the hospital will arrange an oxygen supplier.)
  • Are there movement restrictions, such as no bending after hip surgery?
  • Who is the case manager, and has the equipment order been sent to a supplier?

The checklist

Bedroom

  • Hospital bed, if they need positioning, head elevation or help getting in and out of bed
  • Pressure-relief mattress or overlay, if they'll spend long periods in bed
  • Overbed table for meals and medications
  • Bedside commode, if the bathroom is far away or getting there is unsafe at night

Mobility

  • Walker or rollator for short distances at home
  • Wheelchair or transport chair for longer distances and appointments
  • Patient lift and slings, if they can't bear weight for transfers

Bathroom

  • Shower chair or tub transfer bench
  • Raised toilet seat or toilet safety frame
  • Handheld shower head and grab bars

After joint surgery

  • Hip kit (reacher, sock aid, long shoehorn)
  • Cold therapy unit, if prescribed
  • Knee scooter or crutches for foot and ankle surgery

Prepare the home

  • Clear a path at least 36 inches wide for a walker or wheelchair
  • Remove throw rugs and cords, and add night lights between the bed and bathroom
  • Choose a first-floor room for the hospital bed if stairs are difficult

Get it delivered before they arrive

Ask the case manager to send the equipment order to Ace Medical Supplies, or submit the referral yourself. We verify insurance, contact the doctor for any missing paperwork, and can often deliver the same day anywhere in Broward, Miami-Dade or Palm Beach. Our team sets everything up and shows caregivers how to use it.

Questions? Call 954-332-4378. We're happy to walk you through what your loved one needs.

Keep reading

More guides

Choosing Equipment Bathroom Safety Equipment: What You Need and What Insurance Covers Shower chairs, transfer benches, raised toilet seats and commodes explained, with what insurance usually covers. 4 min read Insurance & Coverage Does Medicare Cover a Hospital Bed at Home? Who qualifies, what your doctor needs to document, what you'll pay, and how hospital bed rentals work under Medicare. 5 min read Choosing Equipment Knee Scooter vs. Crutches After Foot or Ankle Surgery Comparing comfort, safety and cost for non-weight-bearing recovery after foot or ankle surgery. 3 min read