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The Role of HME Professionals in Skin Wellness

Published in Complex Rehab on October 28, 2025

Skin Health in Focus: Why Wellness Matters in Home Medical Equipment Care

As home medical equipment (HME) professionals, you are on the front lines in the fight for optimal patient care, especially when it comes to skin health. The skin is the body's largest organ, serving as a crucial barrier against environmental threats, and plays an essential role in overall wellness. It is particularly important for patients using HME, as many of them have multiple comorbidities that place them at a greater risk for developing skin issues and wounds. If these wounds do develop, the chances of effective healing are significantly diminished. This reality underscores the vital role you play in ensuring your patients' skin wellness is prioritized. 

About the Skin 

The skin is the largest organ and serves multiple functions essential for health. It protects against pathogens, UV radiation, and various stressors, while also regulating body temperature through sweat glands. Sensory receptors in the skin provide touch and pain sensations. Additionally, the skin produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, which is crucial for strong bones, reducing cancer growth, controlling infections, and aiding wound healing. Vitamin D also plays a huge role in wound healing by accelerating the wound healing process, increasing the immune response, and the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action. 

The Critical Importance of Skin Health in HME 

HME devices, such as CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, and mobility aids, come into direct contact with patients' skin, and various factors can increase the risk of skin breakdown. Equipment design can lead to friction, pressure, or moisture retention—all of which can contribute to irritation and potential wound formation. By caring for patients’ skin properly, we can mitigate the risk of wounds that not only affect quality of life but also inflate healthcare costs. Reducing the incidence of pressure sores and other related complications also helps alleviate the physical, emotional, and psychosocial pain associated with managing these conditions. 

Additional factors, both internal and external, can affect a healthy skin barrier and make skin more vulnerable to injury and damage, including:  

As HME providers, it is your responsibility to adopt a proactive approach to skin health. Addressing skin care not only improves patients' experiences but also enhances their trust in the support you provide. Let's explore how you can effectively integrate skin care into your practice. 

Support Skin Integrity with Proven Prevention Strategies 

After conducting skin and risk assessments, create a personalized skincare routine to meet each patient’s needs and maintain a balanced pH level of 4.5 to 5.5. Here are some prevention strategies: 

  • Cleansing: Use gentle, mild, and fragrance-free cleansers that are less likely to irritate sensitive skin. Avoid the use of alkaline soaps and cleansers.  
  • Moisturizing: Regular moisturizing is crucial for maintaining healthy skin, as it is more cost-effective than treating wounds. Moisturizing twice daily helps prevent bacteria entry and health issues. Use silicone products after bathing to reduce water loss, and opt for thicker creams in high-friction areas. Choose moisturizers and skin barriers containing: 
    • Dimethicone for protection. 
    • Glycerin to prevent moisture loss. 
    • Phospholipids to support the skin barrier. 
    • Oleosomes for lasting hydration. 
  • Protecting: Use creams and ointments over lotions and avoid rubbing of the skin. Protection from external factors, like UV radiation and physical friction, is crucial. Educate your patients on the importance of using broad-spectrum sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors. Encourage the use of protective barriers on devices that come into contact with their skin to minimize friction and irritation. 

Benefits of Natural Skincare 

Natural skincare products are becoming popular as gentle alternatives that use plant-based ingredients and avoid harsh chemicals, making them suitable for sensitive skin. Recommended ingredients include: 

  • Aloe vera gel for soothing 
  • Coconut oil for moisturizing and protection 
  • Chamomile extract for anti-inflammatory properties to reduce redness and discomfort 

Ensuring Optimal Skin Wellness in HME 

To maintain effective skin health among your patients using home medical equipment, consider implementing the following strategies: 

  • Regular Equipment Cleaning: Set a routine for cleaning medical devices according to manufacturer guidelines to prevent bacterial buildup and infections. 
  • Monitoring for Skin Changes: Regular assessments of patients' skin conditions are crucial. Train staff to spot early signs of irritation and maintain records to identify potential issues. 
  • Professional Consultation: Encourage patients with ongoing skin issues to seek advice from dermatologists or healthcare professionals for tailored treatment options and care plans. 

Skin health is a foundational aspect of overall wellness for individuals using home medical equipment. By prioritizing skin care through effective cleansing, moisturizing, and protection, HME professionals can enhance the quality of life for their patients. Not only does good skin care prevent wound development and subsequent healthcare costs, but it also alleviates the emotional and physical burdens associated with these conditions. 

As you continue to provide compassionate care, remember that your attention to skin health directly influences your patients' overall well-being and satisfaction with their HME. By embracing a comprehensive approach to skin care, you empower your patients to lead more comfortable and fulfilling lives while managing their medical needs. 

VGM partners with some amazing vendors who offer products and solutions to enhance patients’ skin health, including McKesson, Solventum, DermaRite, and Medline. Learn more about them behind the members-only portal!  

Original article published October 2023 and updated October 2025. 

TAGS

  1. hme
  2. vgm
  3. wound care

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