Redux: Empirical Validation of Medical Equipment Replacement Schedules in Life Care Plans

The present study sought to update and validate the replacement schedules of various durable medical equipment (DME) and assistive technology (AT) commonly cited in life care plans. For life care plans used in litigation, the 1993 Daubert decision, which placed more onus on testifying experts to rely upon empirically-supported and generallyaccepted literature in their field, increased the need for evidence-based research. In this study, 127 sales representatives and equipment repairers across the United States were contacted to participate in a survey to explore whether replacement values found in similar research conducted in 2005, had significantly changed. Frequency data were analyzed in terms of ranges, median life expectancy of equipment, replacement parts needed for equipment, and current price ranges for equipment, repairs and maintenance. Implications for life care planners are discussed.