Belts are tightening due to budget difficulties, and clinics, private hospitals, and doctor’s offices are feeling the squeeze within our current economic state. However, insurance and overall healthcare costs are on the rise, and medical equipment and supplies are certainly no exemption. Yes, it’s a paradox, and there relatively aren’t many viable solutions unless some extremely wealthy donor happens to suddenly open up the purse strings!
It may be very difficult, if not impossible, for some healthcare providers to render themselves with the very latest medical devices. They still desire to be perfect caregivers that they can be; their reputation and standing in the medical community depend on it. But they simply are not able to pay the newest state-of-the-art monitoring devices, INTRAVENOUS supplies laboratory freezer hong kong, infusion pumps, or other equipment necessary to perform their basic functions.
Well, take heart because there happens to be a solution! Something that healthcare providers have been doing with an increase of frequency recently: purchasing used or restored medical equipment.
In fact, the difference between new and used in the world of medical equipment can be pretty unique at times. For instance, a used Baxter, Sigma, or Alaris Medsystem III infusion pump system can be found for 30-, 40-, or sometimes well over 50-percent less than the price of “new. inch
The Stigma and the Stereotype
Some will cringe at the very mention of something that is “used” or “pre-owned. inch Whether it’s in the eyes of the buyer or owner, the person or the caregiver, there is often a negative association linked to these terms. And sometimes that attitude is warranted. There are certainly instances where an item will “slip between the cracks” and not meet standards. Also, there will be unsavory characters in a business-or walk of life for that matter-who will “join the game” just for profit, thereby eschewing any regulations or standards or concern for the well-being of a patient. Just some of each type can do severe damage to reputations on all sides of the medical supply business.
Additionally, reliability becomes significant for those who are hesitant about restored medical equipment, as does the question of possible overuse by previous owners.
Assessments, Regulations, and the OEM
Since there’s been an say of buyers and sellers entering the used medical equipment market in recent years, it has become necessary to form a corporation to determine some life values and oversight in this increasingly popular business message. Therefore, the International Association of Medical Equipment Remarketers and Servicers (IAMERS) has been created.
Moreover, there are requirements that are strongly recommended to companies that sell restored medical equipment. The FDA has specific recommendations that the seller of used medical equipment should cause adhering to. Owner must clearly identify those responsible for cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing the apparatus, and making sure it operates up to standards. The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) takes part in this process, and also markets sellers to label the apparatus properly.
The FDA and AAMI also advice that the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) certify the restored medical device, and that it meets all safety, performance, and quality requirements. This is not a warranty, mind you, but a strong recommendation to the OEM that they conduct honourable business practices in this regard. It is also critical to make sure that any replacement parts come from the OEM and not from any other source.
Let’s take another look at the term, “recommended. inch Companies that sell restored or pre-owned medical equipment do not need to be registered with the FDA. Although there are certainly standards that these companies are strongly told to meet, technically they are not FDA-approved.