» Archive for July 2011

Used Medical Equipment; A New and Upcoming Trend

The new trend of buying refurbished medical equipment on the internet is on the rise. These days, consumers aren’t the only ones buying pre-owned, high-end goods.  Hospitals and medical offices are dealing with dramatic budget cuts too, and are forced to embrace new ways of saving money.  With so many new, state-of-the-art machines on the market, you may be wondering why hospitals would settle for a machine that has been used and refurbished.   Because, it is smart decision making, that’s why.With economic vulnerability looming over everyone, fewer people are hastily spending money.  Long-term affordability is a concern that is weighing on the minds of hospital administrators daily, especially after so many hospitals have been forced to close.

Cost-cutting in a medical facility is not always an easy thing to do. However, with smaller budgets to work with, health professionals are reassessing their priorities. They understand that maintaining qualified medical staff is just as essential to providing quality medical care as owning quality medical equipment.  With rising unemployment rates, the bottom line is that cost-effective supply budgets can preserve jobs.Purchasing pre-owned medical equipment is comparable to buying a used automobile. Brand new medical equipment depreciates as soon as the equipment is shipped, just as a car does once it is driven off the lot. Today, hospitals and medical offices are trying to cope with skyrocketing costs and shrinking budgets. This situation is creating an enormous and competitive demand for refurbished medical equipment.

When purchasing used medical equipment from an online vendor, it is wise to deal with an organization that is reputable and will guarantee that the equipment meets the American Medical Association’s (AMA) highest specifications. One benefit in choosing to purchase used medical equipment over new is that the technology of the slightly older machine has proven to be effective and reliable over the years.   Buying used equipment can provide doctors with confidence that they are getting a “good buy”; because they’re getting a solid and familiar product, at a good price, which has withstood the test of time. Some refurbished equipment comes with a warranty and when making a purchase, be sure to inquire about the return policy.

Technorati Tags: Medical Equipment, medical supplies, Used Medical Equipment, used medical supplies

Common Sense Shopping is Key When Purchasing Used Medical Equipment

During difficult financial times many businesses, including those in the medical profession, are searching for alternative ways to manage their financial budgets. With the costs of medical equipment rising swiftly, cutting costs in hospitals, clinics and in physicians’ office can prove to be a challenge. Patient care should not, nor need not, ever be compromised. At the same time, doctors are dealing with the large expense of medical malpractice insurance stretching their already tight budgets. Fortunately, there are ways to save costs, without putting patients at risk and without hospitals and doctors having to “break the bank” to provide their patients with quality care. The cost-effective and practical solution is to invest in refurbished or reconditioned medical equipment.

As a society, marketing companies are continuously training consumers to believe that “newer” is always better. However, many of us are too commonly aware, that this is not always a true statement. In terms of medical equipment, the most current technology is not necessarily more durable or effective when it pertains to patient care. With proper use and maintenance, reconditioned equipment is an attractive alternate option. This new trend is spreading quickly, and more purchasers are turning to the internet and with the ease of clicking a mouse, buying what they need.

The internet provides buyers with a variety of advantages. Anyone who has shopped on the internet would attest to the fact that it is convenient, fast, and usually satisfying. Digital photography allows buyers to view the merchandise they are interested in purchasing. However, as with any type of purchase, proper research and common sense are essential when searching for products and reliable customer service.

The obvious difference in buying refurbished medical equipment is price. On average, shopping for refurbished medical equipment from a reputable online source can save up to 50 percent. The money saved can be used to fund medical staff or other necessities. The important thing to remember is that reconditioned medical equipment need not affect quality and great care is taken to provide products that are in excellent working condition. Reputable dealers sell equipment that has been sterilized and is thoroughly checked and approved for use by a trained biomedical technician.

Technorati Tags: Medical Equipment, medical supplies, Used Medical Equipment, used medical supplies

New Technology Fuels Used Medical Equipment Marketplace

As medical equipment manufacturers continue to develop more machines that utilize advanced technology, well-funded major hospital groups feel pressure to replace their used equipment more often. Were it not for their reputation for cutting edge procedures and their ability to purchase new monitors and surgical equipment, many of these hospitals would have held on to their existing medical equipment for a few more years.

While this may seem wasteful to some, most of this used medical equipment is sold in an online marketplace to another medical facility. The rise of online medical equipment dealers and auction sites has been a boon to struggling hospitals with tight budgets for new equipment. These websites allow healthcare institutions to upgrade equipment without the expense of purchasing it brand new, and they allow larger hospitals to fund their upgrade to state-of-the-art technology.

When medical equipment dealers first started selling used medical equipment, some in the industry expressed concern about the safety of pre-owned machines, especially patient monitors and diagnostic tools that play an important role in critical care. But today’s refurbished medical equipment is tested and certified by trained technicians and many machines are still under the manufacturer’s warranty. Buyers of used equipment should always double check with the dealer to make sure they employ qualified service engineers, and they should also feel comfortable with the dealer’s return policy.

Even hospitals and doctors’ offices who can afford to buy new ultrasound machines, bone densitometers and EKG machines are thinking long and hard about this decision. With hospital budgets being cut and the rapid improvement of medical equipment technology, some healthcare institutions are buying slightly used equipment because it makes better financial sense.

As the market for refurbished medical equipment grows, the availability of quality machines has improved. When one considers the fact that used equipment is usually 25 to 50 percent less than the original price, it is worthwhile for any healthcare facility to consider.

Technorati Tags: Medical Equipment, medical supplies, Used Medical Equipment