Used Medical Equipment Discussion about reconditioned medical equipment

When the concept of buying used medical equipment was first introduced, many hospitals wanted nothing to do with it. All they could think of was the potential risk of using a monitor that malfunctions during surgery or a mammography unit that leaks too much radiation. Hospitals and doctors are acutely aware of the cost of malpractice insurance, and as a result they have become known for their “risk adversity”. But with so much high quality used medical equipment for sale and hospital budgets getting leaner each year, some administrators have taken a second look.

In reality, most of the used diagnostic and monitoring equipment for sale today has been thoroughly checked and re-checked by certified biomedical technicians. It’s not that the machines became obsolete or were malfunctioning. Some larger medical centers routinely replace equipment every two years, just to keep their “cutting edge” status. In most cases, the machines were working just fine at the time of sale, but were replaced to make room for a state-of-the art machine. Other large hospitals are adopting automated systems and need equipment that will be compatible with these new platforms.

An experienced medical equipment buyer can learn a lot about a piece of equipment just by reading an online description, but this is no guarantee of its safety. A better idea is to stick with reputable medical equipment dealers with an established following in the medical community. These companies employ trained inspectors and technicians who can refurbish and certify that a machine is safe for patient use. In many cases, the equipment is so new that it is still covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.

If you still have reservations about purchasing a piece of used medical equipment for your facility, then ask your supplier about their “gently used” equipment. Gently used machines may not quite as cheap as some other used medical equipment, but it will still be much less expensive than buying new.

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

Today, all you need to do is open a newspaper or turn on the TV news and you will undoubtedly hear about the impending double-dip recession and other warnings about this disastrous economy. People everywhere are curbing their spending, and the medical profession is no exception. With HMO’s, new legislation regarding health reform, Medicare and Medicaid costs, and soaring unemployment rates the healthcare profession is also feeling the sting of cost increases. Medical equipment can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and unfortunately, that cost is eventually passed down to the patient. Used medical equipment can benefit many different groups of people, including doctors, patients, health workers, senior citizens and taxpayers.

More senior citizens, who live on a fixed-income, are booting up their computers and navigating the web to find a bargain on an electric wheelchair, or other home/personal device. Smaller regional hospitals have been forced to close their doors permanently due to vast budget cuts. With costs rising so quickly, they are unable to stay afloat in this competitive market.  Managed care and expensive medical malpractice insurance has forced a number of physicians into shuttering their practices or relocating to another state.

Generally, the reliable technology used in most medical devices has allowed for a wider acceptance of reconditioned equipment within the medical community.  As long as it is purchased from a reputable medical equipment dealer and certified by a trained biomedical technician, physicians have peace of mind about using it. Larger hospitals, which are well funded and highly reputable, frequently update their medical equipment to keep up with the latest technology, sometimes as often as every two years. Most of the time, the equipment they are discarding is gently used and in excellent working condition. In other cases, physicians retire, and if they are not fortunate enough to sell their equipment along with their practice, they need to unload their supply. For a young doctor, who is probably carrying the burden of expensive student loans, buying refurbished medical equipment to set up a practice is a wise and economical choice that should not be overlooked.

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