Avera Home Medical and Planet Heart Move to New Sioux Falls Location
Avera Home Medical Equipment and Planet Heart in Sioux Falls have a new home at 3720 W. 69th St. in Sioux Falls, SD.
The Avera Home Medical Equipment (HME) store moved from 33rd Street and Minnesota Avenue. “It’s a site with full-range essentials in home medical equipment, such as canes and shower chairs, to the most advanced respiratory services hardware available,” said Mitch Butler, Vice President of Avera Home Medical Equipment, part of Avera@Home. “Some HME businesses offer just the basics. Others specialize in a few care areas. We offer it all in an easy-access location.”
Home medical equipment makes up a small but vital part of health care. “The little things make big differences, be it a lift chair, a custom cane or a CPAP machine that leads to good rest,” he said. “We get all of these to our customers, right here.”
The former location was bigger, but it was located on one of Sioux Falls’ busiest streets. Access was harder for patients unfamiliar with driving in the city. The former location, which Avera gifted to South Dakota State University, will serve as a permanent home for SDSU’s Sioux Falls-based nursing and pharmacy programs.
“Our new 69th Street location is right-sized for our market.” The new site has room for partners as well.
Demand for Avera Heart Hospital screening services led to a new site for the Planet Heart screening program in the same building. This cardiac and vascular risk assessment service gives patients, in just 45 minutes, vital information on a range of possible health problems. Radiologic readings that are part of Planet Heart can find lung or abdomen issues.
“Moving Planet Heart lets us grow as Sioux Falls does the same,” said Mick Gibbs, Avera Heart Hospital President and CEO. “It’s a vital part of our 20-year plan to increase cardiac and vascular services.”
Expert staff are available to help HME customers find the right clothing or equipment to help their situation. “For example, we have a designated mastectomy area with clinical experts who can help any patient find clothing and accessories,” said Butler. “We also have private consultation rooms for patients who need CPAP equipment.”
Personalizing the shopping experience for items that improve quality of life is important to Butler’s team. Clinical experts in respiratory care often work with patients who need perfected approaches for home use of oxygen or ventilation equipment. Other team members know all the ins and outs of lift chairs, stair-assist devices and power wheelchairs.
Walk-ins are always welcome, but patients can also schedule clinical consultations. The Avera mission is a part of why the store stocks so many products on its shelves. “We provide equipment in the store and at the bedside in our facilities,” Butler said. Avera staff often deliver products rural areas so patients can avoid travel.
“Making differences in the lives of our customers really is what we do, every day, in the store, out in the footprint or in a facility,” he said.
