Should we or should we not give deserving people our used EKG machine or worn pulse oximeter? This is the question that many well-endowed clinics and hospitals ask themselves. It sounds like doubt that is doused in selfish motivations and shallow intentions. Au contraire! It’s not so much about searching for a reason to be generous or an issue about how charitable they want to be; it’s more about trying to offer the best available equipment. Medical equipment—used or otherwise—are tools that can help save lives. For this reason, there should be no compromise in terms of their functionality or condition.

If you are a member who is in charge of getting rid of used medical equipment for your establishment, you are probably responsible for finding out how to do it correctly. In the face of disaster and suffering, there’s a natural human impulse to reach out and help those in need. You feel that it’s your duty as a public (or even private) institution to aid in core humanitarian relief efforts. However, there have been some examples of how the used medical equipment being donated do more harm than help.

Oftentimes, needy non-profits will issue appeals for assistance but they might not always include their precise requirements. In that case, it is up to you to do some research. First of all, assess your medical equipment. What kind of condition is it in? If there are a few minor scratches but otherwise works fine, then it is most likely acceptable. If it has an internal system malfunction, it might be able to be saved but this is where your research pays. You can use your judgment but ultimately, it’s better to be able to reference a source first. Some charities will take any kind of medical equipment—working or not—as long as it can be salvaged and refurbished. Some wouldn’t even consider those instruments only because they can’t afford to take the time and money to fix it.

In the end, it’s up to you to decide whether or not you can donate your used medical equipment. If you ultimately opt to go for it, make certain that your medical machines are up to par with industry standards. Only then can your deserving recipient be able to fully realize the potential of your gift.