With better equipment, efficiency in patient care exceeds expectations for all workers. To get the most productivity out of medical staff, there needs to be a sense of urgency for improving your equipment. As a medical office manager, here are the things to consider when purchasing new lab equipment.
Instrument Availability
Some gear you need may not be readily available. Even when ordering from overseas, you need to be patient with delivery times. If you have an urgent need for equipment, such as an upcoming surgery, it’s vital to order as soon as you can, even if an item appears out of stock online.
When contacting suppliers, request quotes from them directly for parts out of stock or for preorder if the item hasn’t been released yet.
Item’s Warranty
Before purchasing, information about a warranty should be available to you to look over so you know what voids your warranty and how long it lasts. Each manufacturer has varying standards on what voids the protection, so it’s best to call so you know what to expect.
Customer Support
After purchasing something, it’s also a good idea to have a call-back number for support on mechanical issues or if an item is lost or damaged during delivery. Going with a seller that has an excellent customer support team can make for a happier customer and a new client to purchase gear from.
Should You Buy Used or New?
Buying new or used medical equipment is often debated by many healthcare workers. You need to be mindful of three gray areas when purchasing either new or used, such as serial numbers, the supplier, and how the company’s refurbishing process works.
Before deciding to buy new equipment, it’s important to know your office’s financial situation and what equipment needs replacing. When purchasing, you want to ensure that the new equipment meets long-term financial goals and has the latest upgrades.
Ask yourself these questions when thinking about what to consider when purchasing new medical equipment:
- Does the prospective equipment meet end goals?
- Are there other investment opportunities?
- Are there benefits and drawbacks to the gear?
These questions and more can help you decide the best course of action when buying new equipment for your medical practice. When ordering new equipment, focus on your goals and ask yourself what you’re looking to receive from each piece of gear.
