If you purchase pre-owned medical equipment, there are factors to keep in mind before fronting the deal. However, you should understand that buying a piece of pre-owned equipment is accompanied by certain responsibilities, not like buying goods in other industries. This is because equipment bought will serve sensitive purposes like monitoring patient’s heartbeat performance, diagnosing or treating and many other cases the equipment is dedicated to performing, they may be used to save lives too. It is, therefore, a crucial necessity to fully understand specifications for which the machines were designed for and their malfunctions if any before purchasing.
Durable medical equipment
These are medical equipment designed to last for the long term. They include hospital beds, wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, dressing aids, bath chairs, commodes, artificial limbs, therapeutic footwear, and oxygen concentrators, among others.
When making decisions to buy medical equipment, there are things you should note for better results and utilisation of the equipment. Otherwise, the equipment might not serve their intended use to the fullest. Equipment to aid mobility in adult, for example, are made with the general picture of someone who cannot support their movement on their own therefore require walking aids. But if you want equipment that will fully function to a specific patient, orders should be made to manufacture with the specifications, although this may take some time before the equipment is delivered, it will serve its purpose on arrival.
Medical equipment that has critical functionalities, for example, those used to monitor the heartbeat of patients serves across many patients but with the operability of a specialist. Its results are analysed and given to a doctor for interpretation.
Some medical equipment has specific uses and functions; for example, oxygen cylinders are used by patients with respiratory issues; asthmatic patients need them to help them breathe.
Why should one order durable medical equipment
If a person with a broken hip, for example, has been hospitalised for sometimes now and time to be discharged has come, a discharging nurse will advise the patient to order their walking aid, because they will not be allowed to take home walking aid for the facility. The facility needs those to serve other patients like him. The equipment ordered for the discharged patient will be paid for by the insurance company if the patient had covered; if not, they will have to pay for it themselves.
How medical facilities obtain sophisticated medical equipment
Public hospitals obtain sophisticated medical equipment through the department of public health. Governments, in partnership with the nongovernmental organisation may order expensive medical equipment for the benefit of civilians.
With the right funding, medical facilities give tenders to medical equipment contractors who will, in turn, supply the facility with the equipment. Before the facility orders for medical equipment, it should ensure that it has a qualified specialist who will operate. Otherwise, it will be useless to have the most expensive and sophisticated equipment but underutilised because of a lack of professional to operate.
How to maintain medical equipment
I would say maintenance of equipment depends on the type of use, the size and portability of the equipment. Electronic medical equipment needs special attention and to be operated by a specialist. Others with moveable parts need regular greasing of the movable parts. Dusting electronic medical equipment with dry cleaners will be okay. Equipment comes with their manuals. Please read the instructions on how to maintain them carefully.
Select Patient Care are medical equipment suppliers who can provide you with high quality equipment to ensure that you can give high quality care to your patients.