Doctors and health care professionals spend billions of dollars and countless hours annually on medical equipment purchases. The process of buying medical equipment for your facility can be exciting if you approach your purchase in an organized fashion. Learn how to minimize time and costs while maximizing the value of your equipment purchase.
Determine your budget for the project.
If you do not have an exact amount, a range will suffice. Examples include the following:
*"I have $50,000 to spend to update my operating room."
*"I hope to spend under $25,000 - $30,000 on 4 surgery tables."
*"I have $500,000 to equip a 25 bed hospital with two operating rooms."
Make a note of the rooms or areas that you would like to equip.
It is a good idea to note the type of medical procedures for which the equipment will be used. A sample list may resemble the following:
*Two complete operating rooms for plastic surgery
*One large recovery area (four patient capacity)
*One minor procedure room for botox and laser treatment
Obtain three to five written quotes for the equipment that you need.
You may wish to organize your search by beginning with options close to home:
*Ask your peers where they purchased their medical equipment.
*Check with your local hospital for recommended suppliers.
*Ask your professional organization (AAOMS, ASPS) for assistance
Make a list of the medical equipment that you will need.
Include the date that you would like to receive the equipment along with quantities. A sample list may look like the following:
*One anesthesia machine
*One surgery table
*One defibrillator
*Two stretchers
*Two patient recovery monitors
*FACILITY SET TO OPEN ON JUNE 1, 2010
Request a written quote from each vendor that includes the following:
*Price of each piece of equipment
*Warranty for each piece of equipment
*Accessories included with each item (cuffs, cables, etc)
*Shipping and delivery costs, if applicable
*Sales tax, if applicable
*Expiration date for the quote
*Estimated time required to prepare the equipment
Conduct an online search of medical equipment companies.
Contact those companies that supply all of the items that you need. This will save you time and money. Some companies, such as DRE Medical, can serve as a one-stop-shop for the items that you need, and also offer refurbished equipment to help you save money. As you contact suppliers, it is generally a good idea to consider companies that:
*Are registered with the FDA and/or BBB
*Have at least 5-10 years of experience in equipment sales and service
*Offer a warranty on their equipment
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