Caregiver Satisfaction and Experience With a Novel Device to Safely Transport Life-Sustaining Durable Medical Equipment

Background: The novel Medical Equipment Adaptable Travel Restraint (MEATR) was created by 2 critical care nurses who recognized that individuals with life-sustaining durable medical equipment (DME) did not have a safe way to travel with their DME when leaving the hospital. Objectives: This study aimed to understand the satisfaction and experience of participants utilizing the MEATR to transport their DME in a noncommercial motor vehicle. Methods: This descriptive cohort study was conducted between June 2023 and March 2025 at 2 quaternary pediatric hospitals in the United States. To measure the satisfaction and experience of traveling with their child’s DME, caregivers completed surveys before receiving the MEATR, then at 2 weeks and 2 months. Results: One-hundred caregivers and their children participated. Most caregivers were 31 to 50 years of age (67.0%), female (91.0%), White (80.0%), and not Hispanic or Latino (80.0%). Most children were under 4 years of age (54.5%), male (54.5%), White (80.8%), and not Hispanic or Latino (74.7%). Before receiving the MEATR, 15.0% of caregivers reported they were satisfied with the way they transported their medical equipment. After using the MEATR, there was a significant increase in satisfaction with DME transport (92.1% and 94.1%; P <.001). Regarding experience, at the time of enrollment, most participants reported limiting their travel to certain places due to medical equipment (71.0%). This number decreased significantly after receiving the MEATR (16.9% and 17.8%; P <.001). Conclusions: Participants who utilized the MEATR to transport their DME reported improved satisfaction and experience. Thus, the MEATR could improve the quality of life for individuals who require life-sustaining DME.