Surgery Common Medical Tools By Brian Carmody Updated on April 27, 2022 Fact checked by Marley Hall Print Medical tools are necessary if you're providing in-home care for someone, but they can be extremely expensive. In fact, hospitals spend more on supplies than on anything besides staffing. Hospitals and other medical facilities can negotiate directly with sellers or buy supplies through group purchasing organizations. You don't have access to those, so you can either: Find medical supply stores that sell to the public Buy from retailers such as Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and Amazon It may be easier for you to buy kits. Many types are available that contain all the supplies you need for specific uses. This article goes over basic medical tools that you may need and what they're used for. Standard Tools Echo / Cultura / Getty Images IV A common medical need is an IV (intravenous) setup that delivers fluids or medications directly into the bloodstream. An IV setup includes an: IV bagLong, flexible tubeNeedleSecurement device (a butterfly-shaped piece used to secure the needle to the hand) The exact contents of IV kits depends on which one you choose, but they include things like: Prep, scrub, and alcohol padsGlovesDressingMedical tapeTourniquet General Procedure Supplies you'll find in general purpose and standard procedure kits can include: GlovesCompartment trayCotton balls and swabsGauzeOther tools such as forceps, scissors, and scalpels Diagnostic Tools GIPhotoStock / Cultura / Getty Images Some medical tools are used for making diagnoses or checking vital signs. These may be important to have on hand if you're caring for someone in the home. Stethoscope Stethoscopes let you listen to important sounds inside someone's body, such as those made by the: Heart LungsBlood flowDigestive tract Thermometer Thermometers are used to determine body temperature. An abnormal temperature can point to certain problems, such as fever or hypothermia. Two main types of thermometers are: Digital: For oral (in the mouth), axilla (armpit), or rectal use. Some products connect to an app on your phone for easy tracking. Pacifier versions for babies are available.Infrared: For tympanic (ear) or temporal (forehead) use. Mercury thermometers, which used mercury encased in glass, are no longer made due to safety concerns. Blood Pressure Monitors When taking blood pressure at home, you can go one of two ways: An automated digital blood pressure monitorA professional blood-pressure kit like you'd see at a medical facility Automated Blood Pressure Monitor An automated monitor is simple to use. You put it on your wrist or arm (depending on the manufacturer's instructions) and hit a button. The monitor does the rest of the work. The accuracy of these may vary, so be sure to get a quality monitor. If you want to see how accurate yours is, take it to a medical appointment and compare it to the reading you get there. The Best Lab-Tested Blood Pressure Monitors Professional Blood Pressure Kit A professional blood pressure kit may include: Sphygmomanometer (blood pressure gauge, cuff, and bulb for inflating it)Cuffs of various sizesStethoscope These setups are harder to use than an automated cuff. Laceration Tools Aitor Diago / Getty Images Lacerations are cuts. Laceration tools help clean, close, and protect cuts while they heal. Supplies often include: NeedlesSutures (medical thread)SyringesNeedle holdersMedicine cupsTowelsGauzeMedical tapeCompartment traysForcepsScissors Depending on the nature of the cut, you may be able to use surgical glue, which is sometimes called liquid stitches or tissue adhesive. It's safe and easier to use at home than stitches. Durable Medical Tools Getty Images Durable medical tools are for everyday or extended use. These include things like: Hospital beds Stretchers Oxygen equipment CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines for sleep apnea Crutches, canes, walkers, and wheelchairs Braces, splints, slings, and wraps Shower chairs Nebulizers (to change liquid medications into an inhalable mist) Pressure-reducing support surfaces (e.g., inflatable mattress toppers) You may need a prescription for some of these items, such as CPAPs or oxygen. Diabetes Management Tools Miodrag Gajic / Getty Images Medical supplies used to treat diabetes are designed for everyday home use. Many of them are considered durable medical equipment. Diabetes supplies include: Glucometers (glucose meters) to test blood sugar levels Glucose test strips Lancing device and lancets, for finger pokes Insulin Syringes and needles or pre-filled auto-injector pens Hydrogel to treat sores from needles and finger pokes Alcohol swabs for pre-injection skin cleaning Sharps container for needle disposal How to Give an Insulin Injection Paying for Medical Tools Martin Barraud / Getty Images Before you spend a lot of money on medical supplies, check to see if you have coverage for them through: Your health insurance policy Medicare or Medicaid Worker's compensation Special programs through suppliers/manufacturers You may need a prescription or approval from a healthcare provider for them to be covered. Keep in mind that some big box stores, drug stores, and online retailers carry medical tools. You may find better prices there than at medical supply stores. Check with local hospitals and clinics, too. Some of them accept donations of used medical tools and give them to people who can't afford their own. Also, you may be able to rent some durable medical equipment, including hospital beds, wheelchairs, and other mobility aids. That can help keep costs down if it's a short-term situation. Summary Setting yourself up to meet someone's medical needs at home can require a lot of equipment. Depending on your needs, you may need: Standard tools like IV start kits and medical dressingDiagnostic tools like a stethoscope and blood-pressure kitLaceration supplies such as sutures and medical tapeDurable medical equipment including hospital beds and mobility aidsDiabetic supplies like a glucometer and lancing device You can buy medical tools at medical supply shops, big box stores, drug stores, and online. Some of these tools may be rentable or covered by insurance or other programs. 15 Home Care Products for Older Adults A Word From Verywell Taking care of someone's medical needs at home is an enormous and important job. Having the right tools can make things easier and better for you and the person you're caring for. While the person needing care may be your top priority, remember that you need to take care of yourself, as well. Types of Caregiver Burnout and How to Prevent It Frequently Asked Questions Where can you buy medical supplies? You can buy medical supplies at medical supply stores, drug stores, some big box stores, and from online retailers. You may also be able to rent supplies from medical supply stores. How do you sterilize medical instruments? Medical devices are professionally sterilized in many ways, including steam, dry heat, radiation, and vaporized hydrogen peroxide. At home, the best method is often boiling. Check the manufacturer's instructions on how to sterilize different products. How much do medical tools cost? Cost depends on the tool. For example, a glucose monitor for diabetes can run from under $10 to more than $1,000. A large item like a hospital bed can start around $500 and go up into the thousands. Is it okay to buy used medical equipment? That depends. Buying used is generally fine for things like wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and things that are easily sterilized.Use caution with soft items, such as a knee brace, that are harder to disinfect. Get advice from your healthcare provider before buying used items like a CPAP or breast pump, that could potentially spread infection. How can I donate medical equipment? Check with local hospitals, home healthcare companies, and charitable organizations in your area to see who accepts donations. Donated supplies are often given to people who can't afford them. The Best Home Care Service 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Abdulsalam Y, Schneller E. Hospital supply expenses: an important ingredient in health services research. Med Care Res Rev. 2019;76(2):240-252. doi:10.1177/1077558717719928 Department of Commerce. Comprehensive list of basic medical supplies. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Ethylene oxide sterilization for medical devices. By Brian Carmody Brian Carmody was a Lieutenant and Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, Brian trained for the delivery of medical care and supplies within the chaos of a battlefield, as well as within the structured organization of a military medical center. After his Active Duty service ended, Brian moved to the pharmaceutical industry and in the healthcare furniture, equipment, and supply distribution industry. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit