We have been delivering pulse oximeters for almost a year now
Since the beginning of the SARS-Cov-19 virus threat, Poczta Polska SA has been supporting the Ministry of Health in distributing protective equipment, and since November 2020, at the request of the Ministry of Health, it has been delivering pulse oximeters to patients. So far, during nearly a year of cooperation between PP-MZ, the devices have been delivered to over 600,000 patients.
The devices are distributed under the Home Medical Care (DOM) program implemented by the Ministry of Health. Poczta Polska also stores and prepares shipments of pulse oximeters. This process is based on automated notifications received from the Ministry of Health and integrated IT systems.
The DOM program is a system for remote monitoring of parameters of individuals infected with COVID-19 whose health allows for home isolation. It enables the rapid detection of patients who, due to deteriorating health, should be referred for hospital treatment. As part of the diagnostic process, saturation levels, or the saturation of arterial blood with oxygen, are monitored. Patients enrolled in the DOM program receive pulse oximeters.
During the fourth wave of the pandemic, pulse oximeters are once again being used as part of the Home Medical Care program. There's a noticeable increase in the number of devices shipped. More than twice as many pulse oximeters were shipped in October as in the entire third quarter of this year. The post office delivers them the day after receiving the request.
" Poczta Polska is the largest logistics company in the country, capable of handling even unusual orders, as it has the potential to provide services that combine courier shipments with logistics services. Pulse oximeter service is a tailor-made service that combines traditional logistics, courier, and packaging services ," says Andrzej Bodziony, Vice President of Poczta Polska SA.
Pulse oximeters are delivered under special conditions, using a PIN number sent to the patient's mobile phone. These shipments are not subject to notification. Failure to deliver on the first attempt will result in a second attempt, both preceded by a telephone call to the recipient. Shipments are also delivered on Saturdays.
Since February 2021, patients have had the option of returning devices not only by calling a courier, but also directly to one of 4,600 PP facilities, offices, and branches (excluding postal agencies). To date, PP customers have returned over 65% of pulse oximeters via courier, and less than 35% at the facilities.