New Models for AT Reuse with National Potential

Transcription

1 May 28, :00PM EST New Models for AT Reuse with National Potential Download related documents at

2 This Session is being Recorded You will be able to access the archive of this and other webinars at:

3 Credits CEUs are approved for.15 clock hours and are administered through Georgia Tech Professional Education CRCs are approved for 1.5 clock hours and are administered through the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification To receive your verification form, send an with the webinar title and date, your full name, organization, city, state, address and date of birth to

4 Get CEUs or CRCs CEUs - Visit the AAC Institute CRCs To receive your verification form, send an with your name, organization, city, state and address to Liz@passitoncenter.org 4

5 Coming next month: June 2:00PM EST Raising the Bar: Certifications for AT Reuse Programs Should your reuse program pursue accreditation? Do staff members hold appropriate certifications? 5

6 Remember the free resources at Locations Database to profile your reuse program, or to find one Online Program Assessment Tool for the Indicators of Quality for AT Reuse Knowledge Base of articles and examples Five years of archived webinars 6

7 Help us to improve At the end of today s webinar, we ask that you please take a moment to complete our survey:

8 New Models for AT Reuse with National Potential Today s speakers: Mary Slutz, Co-Manager Habitat for Humanity ReStore Health and Home Geri LaPlaca, Division Director Goodwill Home Medical Equipment 8

9 Objectives To learn about the operations of two new reuse programs that are partners of national nonprofit organizations To explore the lessons learned in the development of these new programs To consider how these models can be replicated to expand the availability of affordable AT for the uninsured, under-insured and those waiting for devices 9

10 About Habitat for Humanity and its ReStores Habitat for Humanity (HFH) is a nonprofit Christian ministry that builds and repairs houses all over the world using volunteer labor and donations. The partner families purchase the houses through no-profit, nointerest mortgage loans or innovative financing. HFH has 1,500 affiliates in the U.S. Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers operated by HFH affiliates. The stores sell donated new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price and use the proceeds to build homes. 10

11 About Goodwill Industries and Goodwill Stores Goodwill Industries offers customized job training, employment placement and other services to people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges. Member Goodwills are independent, community-based organizations, governed by local boards of directors, that meet the criteria and standards for membership established by Goodwill Industries International, Inc. There are 165 independent Goodwill organizations in the United States. Goodwill organizations operate donation-supported thrift stores to help fund their operations. 11

12 Other Goodwill Partnerships for AT Reuse that we know about: Delaware: The AT Act Program partners with Goodwill to operate a reuse program. Alabama: Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast (Mobile) is one of six programs affiliated with STAR, Alabama s AT Resource. Tennessee: Two Tennessee Technology Access Program affiliates have informal relationships with Goodwill. 12

13 ReStore Home and Health Mary Slutz, RN, BS, MHCA Co-Manager Habitat for Humanity ReStore Health and Home 13

14 Origins Habitat for Humanity (HFH) opened the local (Quad Cities) ReStore in 2002 Located in Iowa/Illinois community, population 400,000 ReStore s mission: To divert materials from landfill To fundraise for HFH Donations included medical equipment 13

15 Origins (cont. ) Physical building had unused space Director researched viability and logistics of adding medical supplies Expansion proposed to and approved by HFH Nurses hired to assist with expansion 14

16 Goals To support the work of Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities To give new life to gently used home health care equipment 16

17 Funding Resources Finances grants Expenses Electrical upgrades Insurance to sell medical supplies Materials were 90% donations Labor 90% volunteers, remainder from grant Opened doors June 4,

18 Facility in Habitat for Humanity s complex Habitat warehouse, offices and classrooms ReStore warehouse for building supplies and furniture 27,000 sq. ft. 18

19 ReStore Health & Home Focus medical and health needs Entrance separate from building supplies Space 3,000 sq. ft. plus cleaning room Show room Work space Office space 19

20 Customer Base Pre- and post- surgical patients Individuals with disabilities Un- / under-insured individuals Anyone with health needs 20

21 Customer Requirements None Not a certified vendor so do not accept: Medicare Medicaid Insurance co-pays Cash and credit sales No rentals 21

22 Promotion of Store Print Public Relations Religion and environment articles Senior publications Faith and health organization newsletters Group presentations Rotary, senior, support, and community groups Faith community organizations Health organizations and nurses 22

23 Promotion (cont. ) Public networking Senior events Health fairs Health care professional connections Social workers, discharge planners Retirement / assisted living / nursing facilities Community health liaison groups 23

24 Collaborations Special Education schools/organizations Center for Disabilities and Development at University of Iowa Senior services, home health agencies, and nursing homes PT/OT colleges, orthopedics, and therapists Businesses Missions 24

25 Securing Donations Must balance donations with sales Same as promotion plus: Funeral homes Donation drives ReStore newsletters Newspaper articles and ads 25

26 Donations Accept Do Not Accept Canes, crutches, braces, and supports Anything broken, rusted, stained, or missing parts Daily living and vision aids Exercise equipment Hospital beds Unexpired packaged supplies: bandages, incontinence products, ostomy supplies, O2 tubing Shower chairs and toilet risers Walkers, power scooters, wheelchairs, and accessories Items requiring an MD s order: syringes, catheters, medications Items requiring special settings/storage for accurate use: CPAPs, blood pressure equipment, diabetic strips Used or opened single use items: oxygen tubing, oxygen masks, catheters Grab bars 26

27 Processing and Cleaning Researched policies and procedures from CDC and Created workflow from donation door to cleaning room to display floor 27

28 The Process Clean according to type: power equipment, packages, fabric, metal Use bleach solution of 1:500 for standard cleaning, 1:10 for higher level of disinfection Use commercial steam cleaner Check against recall list Recalls 28

29 Process (cont. ) Assess for problems during cleaning Look for breaks, rust, compromised joints Remove all personal identifying labels Determine if minor repairs can be made Log fix-it needs for volunteer repairman Log items for missions 29

30 Process (cont. ) Tag after cleaning and repair Tracks time item in stock Notes any conditions or repairs made to item 30

31 Pricing the Product Not an exact science; be prepared to revisit price! General rule New item is 50% of original retail cost Used item is 25-33% of original retail cost depending on condition Paper/plastic items sold per item at 25% of cost 31

32 Pricing (cont.) Price search Google (specific item) prices Search ebay and Craig s List for cost and shipping Check local pricing Considerations Equipment s condition, age, and marketability Repair costs for item 32

33 Product Don t custom fit a product Use recommendations from local PT/OT school Encourage discussion between client and therapist Don t track equipment or customers Do secure a signed liability waiver on all weight-bearing items (insurance requirement) 33

34 Volunteer recruitment Sources: Churches Senior fairs Friends and neighbors ReStore network Training: ReStore orients them Health and Home teaches cleaning process, types of products, and customer boundaries re: health advice 34

35 Challenge #1 Staffing: sales, cleaning, PR, administration Limited staff = limited hours of operation M-F noon to 5pm 2 half-time paid staff for total of 40 hrs/wk 4 regular volunteers for 12 hrs/wk 2 on-call volunteers for repairs 35

36 Challenge #2 How much to repair What is value of item as is? Would item be too costly after repair? What do we do with item if not repaired? 36

37 Other Challenges Donations Maintaining stream of donations Cleaning donations with small staff Cleaning Need more volunteers and space Need $$ for HubScrub 37

38 Lessons Learned Create organization and structure with health focus different flavor than regular ReStore Create relationships with specialized clientele Assess and evaluate frequently Audience more specific requiring different marketing process 38

39 Community Impact Helped over 500 families in first 6 months Diverted 3,100 items weighing 23,820 lbs from landfill in 11 months Sold mainly supportive devices/supplies Daily living items 78% Mobility items 10% Bed and bath items 10% Other 2% 39

40 Community Response This wheelchair will let me take Mom to the fair and my kid s games. I only need a bath bench and toilet riser for 6 weeks after my hip surgery. What a savings! I m so glad I can give you my mom s things and help someone instead of throwing them out in the garbage. They feel good to be helping others or to be helped. 40

41 The Future Increase community collaboration by increasing PR Assess community impact as health care needs and reimbursement change Keep goals focused on the environment and the mission of HFH Yr 1 Get established with help from DNR Yr 2 Be self-sustaining Yr 3 Make money to contribute to HFH 41

42 Then. and. Now 42

43 Questions? 43

44 Contact Mary Slutz: Habitat for Humanity, Quad Cities ReStore Health and Home 3629 Mississippi Ave. Davenport, IA (563)

45 Goodwill Home Medical Equipment Geri LaPlaca, PTA, BA, MS Division Director A Division of Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia 45

46 Re-Introducing Medical Equipment Reuse to New Jersey Director has background in Physical Therapy for 25+ years, including homecare. Witness to excess home rehab equipment being needlessly discarded while so many people were unable to access needed equipment. (No insurance, no equipment coverage, high co-pays, specific item not covered, etc.) Wanted to create a mechanism for people to donate no-longer-needed, still usable equipment (many new, some lightly used) to give those in need access to affordable, refurbished home medical equipment. Unopened medical supplies also included 46

47 Road to Goodwill Reuse Partnership Pilot Program Under established nonprofit with other reuse programs New Nonprofit with Two Partners Your ReSource, Inc. for medical equipment reuse opens Nov. 2005, grows for next 6 years Oct Start search for partner for sustainability Jan Merged Your ReSource with Goodwill Goodwill Home Medical Equipment launches 47

48 Creating a Win, Win, Win Program For equipment donors (tax receipt, satisfaction and closure) For the program to collect and grow its inventory For those in need in the community to have access to home medical equipment (HME); especially the uninsured, underinsured, underserved, people with disabilities, seniors Easy access healthcare too complicated, chaotic, long waiting Reconditioned to ensure proper function and safety Available for affordable cost Additional beneficiaries: Local municipality, landfill, environment Health care professionals and caregivers 48

49 Why Merge? Need for more equipment Between Years 5 and 6, difficulty keeping up with demand of specific equipment, especially bath chairs and wheelchairs. Needed more donations! Sustainability Thinking about partnerships for grant proposals and assistance with financial stability 49

50 Finding a Suitable Partner Contacted donation-type businesses to request HME collection for Your ReSource: Salvation Army Rescue Mission Goodwill North Jersey/NY Goodwill South Jersey/Philadelphia Goodwill South Jersey Region offered a partnership: Increased donations Divert all HME collected at 24 stores and six Attendant Donation Centers Transportation system - especially with home pick ups Facility change to more visible location; increase size from 4,000 to 10,000 sq. ft. Resources advertising/marketing, human resources, support programs 50

51 Getting Started in New Jersey as Your ReSource, Inc. Start-up money: foundation grant and individual donors A board of directors: healthcare, law, finance, church leader, community A plan for sustainability: revenue from equipment; friend/fundraising Arranged for liability coverage according to recommendations in your state Investigated legal aspects of selling used HME; legal assistance for equipment disclaimer Outlined operating costs Developed a list of accepted/not accepted items; adult and pediatric (see list) Created a pricing strategy for HME to develop a revenue stream Have always had a low red tape process no qualifying, no Rx needed Fee vs. Free operating costs high; funders; equipment user contributes Pricing based on quantity available, condition/quality, features, age; approximately 15-20% of equipment MSRP 51

52 Facilities and Staffing Find a spacious, accessible building vs. virtual business Provide easy, safe movement for visitors; room to try equipment Area for triage, cleaning and repair washer/dryer, pressure washer, wheelchair washer, tools, work benches, access to electricity & water Showroom to display equipment, supplies, take pictures Office, checkout area, telephone service Hours initially three days; gradually added; now six days/week (till 6 pm) Staff and Volunteers: presently people 2.5 advanced mechanics; also perform pick-up, deliver, scrap, unload trucks 2-3 cleaning people 4-5 trained customer service staff on sales floor Operations Manager and Division Director 52

53 Supporting Services Transportation: Your ReSource began with a van; added a 14 ft. box truck after five years Goodwill has a fleet of trucks for pickups Inventory tracking Your ReSource had an information technology system to keep track of donations, refurbishing completion, Quality Assurance, available inventory and descriptions, sales, etc. Had a volunteer set up and sync our original accounting, data management, inventory, website. Goodwill has a point-of-sale (POS) system that presents more challenges; upgrade needed specifically for HME and CHAP accreditation. Marketing and Equipment Acquisition Developed basic marketing materials, website, social media presence Identified and developed a community network that will help connect those who have HME with those who need it. Agencies overlap in some cases. Goodwill adds the visibility of its known image and large collection network 53

54 Community Networking Find Stored HME Find People in Need of HME Churches Senior Centers Home Care Agencies Individuals & Families Hospice Agencies Funeral Homes Assisted Living & Nursing Homes Churches Senior Centers Home Care Agencies Individuals and Families Subsidized Housing low income Community Service Organizations Community Service Organizations Charity Care Dept. in Acute Care Hospital Community Outreach Events Talks OP Surgery Centers Community Outreach Events Talks Community Collections Local, County, State agencies and depts. 54

55 Handling Donations: Workflow Equipment, Unopened Medical Supplies, Healthcare Products 1. Triage: broken, aged, deteriorated, rusty, expired, etc. 2. To cleaning area for sanitization: bath, shower, canes, crutches, aids for daily living, etc. Started with 10x6 shower stall; shower trough 30x10; three wash areas Small refurbishing: Blood pressure machines, cushions, foot baths, nebulizers, orthotic boots 3. To refurbishing area for repair: beds, wheelchairs, rollators, scooters, etc. 5 work tables; fully equipped tools, parts, supplies; QA procedure 4. Operations Manager keeps HME moving between front and back doors/ 5. Database assists with keeping track of price and MSRP 6. Operations Manager tags items and moves to showroom. Staff made aware of: weight cap, heavy duty/bariatric, special features, folding instructions, description of item if unusual, pictures for web page, etc. 55

56 Customer Service - Showroom 1. Receive ongoing training to ensure each person understands the individual equipment and learns how HME works. 2. Able to demonstrate the equipment offerings. No prescribing. 3. No exchange, no return policy sends customers back to physician or therapist to find out exactly what person needs. 4. Assist with stocking and pricing medical supplies; organizing showroom Note: Medical Supplies priced very low: wound care, ostomy, diapers, gloves, CPAP tubing and masks. Equipment Parts available: walker leg extensions, wheelchair chargers, tires, seat belts, etc. 5. Schedule sale deliveries and equipment pick ups 6. Respond to telephone and website inquiries; answer 7. Post equipment pictures for website 56

57 Challenges - Year 8 Larger facility, more visible location = greater operating costs Only added one new staff person since moving November 2012 Need to increase customer count and revenue Fundraising strategy Handling daily truck deliveries of HME from Goodwill Stores Storage for excess equipment and scrap metal Creative strategies for handling/distributing the abundance of walkers, crutches, commodes. Soon to identify two Goodwill Stores in region for HME pilot sales. E-Commerce on HME website 57

58 Expect to double the number of people served Your ReSource and Goodwill Home Medical Equipment 58

59 and the number of items reutilized Your ReSource and Goodwill Home Medical Equipment 59

60 and the revenue Your ReSource and Goodwill Home Medical Equipment 60

61 Assistance and Check-Out Area Goodwill Home Medical Equipment 61

62 Our showroom Refurbished devices for sale. No Rx required Priced at approx % of MSRP, depending on age, condition Goodwill Home Medical Equipment 62

63 More devices for sale A wide range of adult and pediatric home medical devices are accepted Goodwill Home Medical Equipment 63

64 Affordable Medical Supplies Unopened medical supplies are accepted: Disposable gloves Gauze, bandages, wraps and tape Disposable undergarments and underpads Hospital gowns Wound supplies Colostomy supplies Foot baths Home blood pressure machines Nebulizers The Colostomy Supplies Corner Goodwill Home Medical Equipment 64

65 Behind-the-scenes workflow High-demand donations: Walkers, shower chairs, portable toilets Goodwill Home Medical Equipment 65

66 Refurbishing donated equipment Mechanics/ technicians refurbish devices Goodwill Home Medical Equipment 66

67 Cleaning area for donated devices Sanitization employs conventional cleaning, washer/dryer, pressure washers, Goodwill Home Medical Equipment 67

68 Transportation For donation pickups and deliveries Began with a van; added a 14 ft.- box truck after five years Your ReSource and Goodwill Home Medical Equipment 68

69 Questions? 69

70 Contact Geri: Goodwill Home Medical Equipment 18 Arctic Parkway Ewing, NJ Geri LaPlaca, Division Director (609)

71 Help us to improve Please take a moment to complete our survey of today s webinar:

72 Carolyn Phillips Joy Kniskern Liz Persaud Trish Redmon DISCLAIMER is supported under cooperative agreement #H235V awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, and is administered by Tools for Life, Georgia s Assistive Technology Act Program, a program of AMAC at The Georgia Institute for Technology (Georgia Tech.) However, the contents of this publication do not necessarily represent the policy or opinions of the Department of Education or Georgia Tech, and the reader should not assume endorsements of this document by the Federal government or Georgia Tech. 72