Bringing a Child Home With Respiratory Equipment: Questions Caregivers Should Ask

Getting ready to bring your child home with prescribed respiratory equipment usually comes with a lot of new information at once: device instructions, supply lists, alarm settings, follow-up appointments, and phone numbers you've never had to use before.

It's a lot to absorb in a short window, especially when discharge day arrives faster than expected.

On the bright side, you don't have to memorize everything. What helps most is knowing which questions to ask, and who to ask. If you're preparing to manage pediatric respiratory equipment at home, this guide can help you organize questions for the hospital team, prescribing provider, and respiratory equipment provider before that first night at home.

Questions to Ask Before Your Child Comes Home

Every child's setup looks different. Some families may come home with oxygen equipment. Others may be preparing for a ventilator, an AIRVO system, a cough assist device, AffloVest therapy, suction equipment, tracheostomy supplies, a pulse oximeter, or a combination of prescribed devices and supplies.

Ask the questions that apply to your child's equipment and care plan.

What Training Will We Receive Before Going Home?

Ask what hands-on training is scheduled, who will provide it, and whether you'll practice with the same model of equipment your child will use at home.

It may also help to ask:

• Can we repeat the training if we need more practice?
• Will we receive written instructions and manufacturer guides?
• Will any additional instruction happen at home?
• Which skills do we need to demonstrate before discharge?
• Who should we contact if questions come up later?

Who Should Know How to Operate the Equipment?

Ask the care team which caregivers should complete formal training and what each person needs to know.

Some tasks may require device-specific instruction. Other family members may be able to help with non-clinical tasks, such as organizing supplies, maintaining a written log, or keeping contact information current. Let the care team clarify where those boundaries are.

Where Should We Keep the Equipment and Supplies?

Ask the equipment provider about placement for each device. Manufacturer requirements vary.

Depending on the equipment, you may need to consider:

• Clearance around air intakes
• A firm, stable surface
• Distance from heat, moisture, dust, or heavy foot traffic
• Access to an appropriate power source
• Space for supplies and backup equipment
• Clear pathways around cords and tubing

Follow the placement and operating instructions provided for the specific equipment.

What Power Sources or Backup Plans Do We Need?

Ask which devices use battery power, what affects expected battery runtime, how batteries should be charged and stored, and whether backup power or equipment is included in your child's plan.

Battery performance can vary by device, prescribed settings, battery age and condition, and the way the equipment is used. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and the plan provided by your child's care and equipment teams.

Also ask whether your family should contact the local utility company about power-dependent medical equipment and what to do during an outage.

Which Alarms or Changes Require a Call?

Ask the clinical team to walk through each alarm your child's device can produce and what response is expected of you for each one. Write it down.

Also ask what changes in your child's breathing, color, alertness, secretions, or comfort should prompt a call, and which ones mean calling 911 instead.

How Will Replacement Supplies Be Managed?

Ask:

• How often are supplies provided?
• How much notice is needed for a reorder?
• Who should we call if supplies arrive damaged?
• What should we do if something runs low sooner than expected?
• How much backup stock should we keep?
• Are any supplies replaced on a specific schedule?

Write down the reorder process before discharge so it doesn't have to be reconstructed later.

How Should We Clean and Maintain the Equipment?

Cleaning and maintenance steps differ by device and manufacturer. Ask for written instructions explaining:

• What should be cleaned
• How often it should be cleaned
• Which cleaning products are appropriate
• Which parts should be replaced rather than cleaned
• Which maintenance tasks are handled by the equipment provider
• Who to call if the equipment is damaged or isn't working properly

What Should We Share With School or Childcare?

Ask what documentation the school or childcare provider needs, whether a nursing or health plan is required, and who on the care team can talk directly with school staff. Ask what staff should do if equipment alarms during the day.

What Should We Pack When Leaving Home?

Ask what a standard “go bag” should include for your child, and whether there are limits on trip length, altitude, or air travel with the prescribed equipment.

Preparing Your Home and Equipment Space

A little setup before discharge day makes the first week smoother.

If your home layout makes any of this difficult, tell your equipment provider. Adjustments are often possible.

Backup and Emergency Planning

Emergency planning should be built around your child specifically, not a generic template. Work with your child's clinical team and respiratory equipment provider to create a written plan covering power outages, equipment problems, travel, and severe weather.

Helpful questions to raise:

• What should we do if a device stops working?
• Which backup equipment or supplies are part of our plan?
• Where should backup items be stored?
• Who should we call first for an equipment issue?
• Who should we call if our child's condition changes?
• What information should we give 911 dispatch?
• Should we contact our utility company or local emergency services in advance?
• How should we prepare for severe weather or an extended outage?

Who to Call, and When

Before Your Child Comes Home: A Checklist

Use this checklist as a starting point and follow the discharge requirements provided by your child's care team.

Helping Other Caregivers Learn the Routine

Grandparents, relatives, respite caregivers, babysitters, and school staff may want to help but may not know where to start.

For people who help with nonclinical parts of the routine, a written summary can be useful. Include:

• Your child's general daily schedule
• Where supplies are stored
• Who to contact with questions
• Where written equipment instructions are kept
• What to do while waiting for trained help

Keep that summary consistent with your child's care and emergency plans.

How We Support Families at Home

Health Care Solutions Group has served the Chicagoland area since 2000, and we provide in-home respiratory support for both adult and pediatric patients. Our licensed and credentialed respiratory therapists are available 24/7. They set up equipment, instruct patients and caregivers in its use, provide instruction manuals, monitor progress and tolerance of therapy, obtain data downloads, and send reports to the referring provider.

Depending on the prescription and individual care plan, we provide equipment and support that may include adult and pediatric oxygen systems, ventilators, AIRVO, cough assist devices, AffloVest therapy, suction equipment, and pulse oximetry services.

Learn more about our home oxygen systems, respiratory assist devices, and in-home respiratory services.

Frequently Asked Questions