When Medical Equipment Fails — It’s Often Not the Equipment

When Medical Equipment Fails — It’s Often Not the Equipment

Transferring To A Wheelchair

Why Caregiver Training Is Critical for Patient Safety and Cost Control

Last night, we experienced something we see far too often in healthcare.

A patient required an electronic lift and repositioning system (ELRS) for safe transfers. The equipment itself was fully functional. The issue wasn’t the device — it was that the caregiver did not know how to operate it properly.

Once we took the time to walk the caregiver through correct usage, the equipment worked exactly as intended. The patient was safe. The caregiver felt more confident. And a potentially dangerous situation was avoided.

Unfortunately, this scenario is not rare — and the consequences can be serious.

The Hidden Risk in Healthcare: Lack of Equipment Training

Across home care, assisted living, skilled nursing, and even hospital settings, medical equipment misuse is a growing but under-addressed issue.

What the data shows:

• Over 50% of medical device incidents reported to regulators are linked to user error or insufficient training, not device failure (FDA adverse event reporting trends).

• In long-term care settings, improper use of lifts and beds is a leading contributor to patient falls and caregiver injuries.

• Caregiver injury rates are among the highest of any profession, with musculoskeletal injuries frequently tied to improper use of mobility and lift equipment.

• Facilities and families spend thousands of dollars annually replacing damaged equipment that failed due to misuse — not manufacturing defects.

In short:👉 When training is missing, everyone pays the price.

What Happens When Training Stops After Delivery

Many families and facilities assume that once equipment is delivered, the job is done. But without ongoing education, problems quickly follow:

• ❌ Patients are placed at risk of falls or improper positioning

• ❌ Caregivers strain themselves or attempt unsafe manual transfers

• ❌ Equipment is forced, overridden, or damaged

• ❌ Families and facilities are left paying for repairs or replacements

• ❌ Trust in the equipment — and the care team — breaks down

We routinely see equipment labeled as “defective” when, in reality, it was never used as designed.

Why Continued Training Matters

Medical equipment is not static — caregivers rotate, family members step in, patient conditions change.

Without continued training and refreshers, even the best equipment can become a liability.

Proper education provides:

• ✔ Safer patient transfers and positioning

• ✔ Reduced caregiver injuries and burnout

• ✔ Longer equipment lifespan

• ✔ Lower replacement and repair costs

• ✔ Greater confidence for families and care teams

Training doesn’t need to be complicated — it just needs to exist.

CFS’s Real-World Approach

At CFS Medical Supplies & Equipment, we’ve seen firsthand that education is just as important as the equipment itself.

That’s why we focus on:

• White-glove setup and explanation

• Ongoing caregiver education

• Video-based guidance for real-world use

• Support when staff or caregivers change

• Helping families and facilities understand how and why equipment works

Healthcare doesn’t fail because of a lack of products.It fails when knowledge isn’t passed on.

A Call to Families, Caregivers, and Facilities

If you’re caring for someone who relies on medical equipment:

• Ask for training — more than once

• Don’t assume everyone knows how to use the device

• Advocate for refreshers when caregivers rotate

• Understand that misuse can cost far more than education

And if you’re a facility or family struggling with equipment issues, the solution may not be replacing the product — it may be teaching someone how to use it properly.

Stay Informed. Stay Safe. Stay Supported.

To support families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, CFS offers ongoing education, guidance, and real-world support through our growing digital platform.

📱 Download the CFS App🎧 Listen to our podcast📚 Access education and training resources💬 Ask questions and get expert guidance🤝 Join a community focused on safe aging-in-place

We don’t just deliver medical equipment.We deliver safer outcomes through education, equipment, and expertise.