The Home and Clinic Guide to Diagnostic and Medical Supplies

Health information notice. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always ask your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider. In an emergency, call 911.

Quick answer. At home, devices like blood pressure monitors, thermometers and glucose meters help you keep track of your health and share readings with your provider. Clinics and care facilities use a wider range of instruments and consumables. A home reading is information, not a diagnosis; your provider interprets it.

What should I know about home blood pressure monitors?

A home monitor lets you record readings between visits. The American Heart Association recommends an automatic, cuff-style, upper arm monitor. Cuff size matters. A cuff that is the wrong size (too small or too large) can give an inaccurate reading, so measure around your upper arm and choose a monitor that comes with the correct cuff size. The American Heart Association reports that most popular home devices fit arms from about 8.7 to 16.5 inches around, so larger or smaller arms may need a different cuff. The American Heart Association advises resting quietly for at least five minutes, keeping your bare arm supported at heart level on a flat surface, and measuring at the same time each day. If your monitor has a memory, take it to your appointments, and share your log with your provider.

Examples from our catalog: the Omron 3 Series Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor and the Mabis Digital Blood Pressure Monitor. Browse Blood Pressure.

Which thermometer should I choose?

Digital oral, ear and forehead models are common. Pick one that is easy to use correctly, and follow its instructions for cleaning and probe covers. Examples: the Exergen TemporalScanner (forehead) and the AdTemp 421 Tympanic IR Thermometer (ear). Browse Thermometers & Accessories.

What diabetes supplies are there?

Testing supplies include meters, test strips, lancets and a sharps container for safe disposal. Strips are made for specific meters, so match them. Your care team will tell you how often to test. Examples: the Glucocard Expression Blood Glucose Meter, Assure Safety Lancets, and the Sharps Recovery System mailback sharps container. Browse Diabetes Supplies.

What about respiratory and CPAP supplies?

This category includes supplies for breathing therapy and monitoring. A pulse oximeter clips on a fingertip and estimates oxygen saturation and pulse. The FDA notes that many things can affect a reading, including poor circulation, skin pigmentation, skin thickness, skin temperature, tobacco use and nail polish, and that many over-the-counter models are sold as general wellness products that it has not evaluated for medical decisions. Example: the Diagnostix 2100 Finger Pulse Oximeter. CPAP and other therapy equipment is set up by a provider; follow their instructions. Browse Respiratory & CPAP.

Scales and test kits

A reliable scale helps people track weight changes if their provider asks. Browse Scales. Test kits and trays hold the items for a specific test; read the instructions and check the dates. Browse Test Kits & Trays.

Which gloves should I choose?

Disposable gloves protect the wearer and the person receiving care. Common materials are nitrile (latex-free), vinyl (latex-free, often used for short, low-risk tasks) and latex (flexible, but not for people with latex allergy). Choose by task, allergies and size. Example: Micro-Touch Nitrile Exam Gloves. Browse Gloves.

What protective clothing is there?

Masks, gowns and scrubs for staff and caregivers. Example: ASTM Level 1 Medical Face Masks. Follow your facility's infection-control policy. Browse Masks & Gowns & Scrubs.

What do clinics and facilities use?

Clinic categories include Diagnostic Equipment, Instruments, Urological, Drainage & Suction, Clinical Laboratory, Pharmacy Supplies, Needles & Syringes, IV Therapy, Nurses Station & Office Supplies, Indicators & Signage and Textiles. Needles, syringes, IV and pharmacy supplies are generally used by trained professionals, and their sale and use are governed by federal and state law and facility policy. Compare by UOM (Each, Box, Case), standardize glove sizes and materials, and keep a par level for consumables.

How do I choose?

1. Home or clinic? The needs and the rules differ.
2. Is it easy to read and use? Large displays and simple buttons help.
3. Does it fit the person? Cuff size, glove size and strip compatibility are the common mistakes.
4. Does it need a provider's instruction? Ask before you start.
5. Check dates. Test strips, kits and sterile items expire.

A log of readings is useful for a provider. A single reading is not a reason to make a decision about medicine or treatment. If you feel very unwell, or a reading worries you, call your provider. In an emergency, call 911.

Frequently asked questions

How do I pick the right blood pressure cuff size? Measure around your upper arm and choose a monitor that comes with the correct cuff size. Most popular home monitors fit arms about 8.7 to 16.5 inches around.

Which glove material is best? It depends on the task and on allergies. Nitrile is a common choice and is latex-free.

Can a home device diagnose a condition? A home device cannot make a diagnosis on its own. Share readings with your healthcare provider.

Can I rely on a pulse oximeter? Treat it as one piece of information; many things affect its reading, and many over-the-counter models are not evaluated by the FDA for medical decisions. Ask your provider.

Next steps

Read The Cold and Flu Home Care Kit and browse the Diagnostic & Medical Supplies menu.

Sources

1. American Heart Association, "Home Blood Pressure Monitoring": https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings/monitoring-your-blood-pressure-at-home
2. American Heart Association newsroom, "Popular home blood pressure monitoring cuff devices may not fit some US adults": https://newsroom.heart.org/news/popular-home-blood-pressure-monitoring-cuff-devices-may-not-fit-some-us-adults
3. FDA, "Pulse Oximeters": https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/products-and-medical-procedures/pulse-oximeters
4. FDA, "Pulse Oximeter Basics": https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/pulse-oximeter-basics

This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always ask your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider. In an emergency, call 911. Last reviewed October 2026.