The how's and why's of equipment purchasing (Proceedings)

Hospital Equipment Purchasing: Choosing equipment that will work for you and your practice. Discussions will include product and installer selection, training and work flow considerations, connectivity and maintenance considerations.

Why buy equipment

     • Earn a return on the equipment

     • Practice quality medicine

     • Leverage your time and your staff

     • Improve quality of medicine

     • Replace older broken items

     • Perform new services.

     • Lower operating costs

     • Lower staffing costs

     • Improve staff efficiency

What kind of equipment to buy

     • Diagnostic

          o Tonometer: glaucoma testing

          o In-House Laboratory Equipment: hematology analyzer, serum chemistry analyzer

     • Imaging

          o Digital Radiography: decreased overhead & increased diagnostic speed

          o Digital Dental Radiography

          o Ultrasonagraphy

          o Video Otoscope

     • Monitoring

          o Multi-Function Patient Monitoring

               • BP, EKG, Pulse Oximetry

     • Computers

          o Desktops

          o Servers

          o Printers

     • Surgical

          o Surgical Laser

          o Fluid Pumps

          o Vaporizers

Who to buy it from

     • Manufacturer

          o Large and reputable vs. smaller and innovative

     • Distributor

     • Price vs Quality

     • Installation Considerations

     • Customizability

     • References

How to pay for it

     • Cash

     • Loan

     • Lease

     • Pay Per Use / Pay Per Case

     • Tax incentives

How to train staff on it

     • Vendor sponsored onsite training

     • Training protocols

     • Training manuals

     • CE

How to maintain it

     • Warranty considerations

     • Consumables considerations

     • Parts availability

     • Expandibility

     • Upgradeability

     • Recurring costs.

     • Supplies

Integration consideration

     • Practice Management Software

     • Open Standards

     • Networking

     • Connectivity

     • Programmability

Intangible benefits

     • Higher quality medicine

     • Diagnostic accuracy

     • Client perceptions

     • Client Satisfaction

     • Client Education

     • Attracting clients seeking more advanced medicine

     • Attracting staff seeking to practice more advanced medicine

     • Advanced technology enhances client confidence and thus compliance