How to Choose Refurbished Medical Equipment and a Qualified Company

The following are some questions that you may want to consider prior to making a decision on the equipment and the company you are thinking of purchasing from:

• Is there a significant price difference between new and refurbished?
• Are there features on the product that I may not need?
• How do I know if I am buying from a reputable refurbished medical equipment company?
• What should I ask the refurbishing company about the products?

Sometimes the price difference isn’t great enough to warrant buying refurbished items. Items like stainless steel products, over bed tables, step stools, etc. are not as big of cost savers when buying refurbished. Buying these items new will have the same or better longevity without sacrificing any cosmetic or operational downfalls.

 

However, on larger items such as operating tables,stretchers, patient monitors, blanket warmers, etc. there are possibilities for significant savings. Sometimes the savings can be greater than 50% versus buying new.

 

When buying new equipment, you are sometimes paying for features that you may not find useful in your facility. When researching older models that have been refurbished, you may be able to get all the features you need and save money at the same time.

 

A knowledgeable refurbished medical equipment company (or any distributor of new medical equipment, for that matter) should know readily which equipment fits your surgery center’s needs. Refurbished medical equipment companies that are worth buying from are usually well established and are still around for a reason.

 

Let your instincts guide your way when first feeling out the medical equipment supplier you’re researching. If they are cordial and seem knowledgeable, then that is a good start. If they are rude or short with you from the start, what are they going to be like when you have a problem with your equipment during the warranty period? If they don’t have all the answers, that’s ok, but getting back to you with answers should be prompt.

 

Once you ask for a quote, this should also be provided quickly and in an understandable format. If it is a large item that does require extensive refurbishing, such as operating tables or lights, request a list of what their refurbishing procedure is. Next, ask them also if they have an in-house service department, or biomedical technicians on staff. This is vital to ensuring that the equipment is testing prior to leaving their facility.Warranty is also a big consideration. Confirm what the company’s warranty terms are and how that will affect you in case you have a problem during the warranty period.

 

Refurbished medical equipment companies should be much like any other distributor in terms of service and product knowledge, except possibly on a wider scale since they most likely see a vast array of different products. Most will sell both new and refurbished medical equipment, which is a positive because then many of these companies can become your single source for the majority of the equipment you need.

 

Future Health Concepts (FHC) has been serving the medical community with new and refurbished medical equipment for 40 years. Our primary refurbished products are Sterilizers, Washers/Disinfectors, and Operating Room Tables. Other quality refurbished medical products are Anesthesia Machines, Patient Monitors, Defibrillators, ESU, and Rigid & Flexible Video Systems along with many other products.Our clients’ satisfaction is of the utmost importance to us. We will work to try to exceed your expectations when it comes to equipment needs to develop a long-term relationship with your facility.