Medical equipment distributors supply the physical kit that makes care at home or in a facility possible — hospital beds, pressure-relief mattresses, hoists, mobility equipment, oxygen and respiratory devices. What separates a good distributor from a cheap one is rarely the price of the box: it is delivery, installation, servicing, spares and what happens when something breaks at 9pm.
Rent when the need is expected to be short — a recovery period, or respite — and buy when it is long-term. Renting usually bundles servicing and removes the disposal problem; buying is cheaper over years. Ask the distributor for both prices on the same model before deciding.
It redistributes pressure for someone who cannot reposition themselves, which is the mechanism behind pressure injury. It does not replace repositioning or skin inspection — it extends the time a person can safely stay in one position. Match the surface category to the assessed risk rather than buying the most expensive option.
Some do, most do not, and the ones that do often charge a call-out to inspect it first. If you are taking over equipment from a previous owner, ask for the service history and confirm a local provider will maintain it before you accept it.
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