The increasing cost of medical equipment is something hospital administrators have had to deal with in the past. Instead of increasing healthcare costs for their patients, hospital administrators are always looking for ways to save money. There are several ways hospital administrators can save thousands of pounds for their hospitals, and we will look at them below.
Time Your Purchases
Timing has a significant effect on how much you pay for medical equipment. Buying equipment at the end of the year or the quarter can net you thousands in savings. Suppliers want to clear stock at the end of the year so they are more open to offering discounts.
They also are under pressure to hit their sales targets at the end of a quarter. If you know who to talk to at these times, you might land a significant discount.
Consider Leasing
More healthcare facilities are becoming open to leasing their equipment instead of buying it. This strategy allows the facilities to save money on the upfront cost of the medical equipment while also giving them a viable upgrade path when their lease lapses.
The facility becomes less likely to be stuck with outdated technology as it changes equipment frequently. However, that might come with training obligations which is something to think about, too.
Purchase In Bulk
There are several advantages to purchasing medical equipment in bulk. First, equipment companies and retailers are willing to offer you a discount if you do. In many cases, you have to get in touch with them first.
An email should get you a bespoke price and quote that will be lower than what you would have got otherwise. The Medical Supermarket is an example of a medical supply that does this. You can get in touch with them by visiting medical-supermarket.com and asking for a quote.
Second, you save money by shipping in bulk. The shipping and importation fees for a single bulk shipment are always lower than doing so for many smaller shipments.
Lastly, you can also benefit from additional perks such as additional accessories and free spares packages that you would have had to pay for otherwise.
Consider Refurbished Options
Remanufactured and refurbished medical equipment can save a hospital a lot of money while also providing the required level of performance. Sometimes it becomes hard and even impossible to distinguish refurbished equipment from new.
The main caveat is that some companies do not refurbish the equipment and may just put a new coat of paint on it and sell it as such. It is, therefore, important to take some time to screen any company selling refurbished medical equipment.
Also, it is a good idea to buy all essential equipment new and then go with refurbished options for non-essentials like beds.
Maintain The Equipment
Maintaining equipment saves you money by reducing repair costs. It also does so by increasing the period between equipment purchases.
Finding ways to save money is becoming something all healthcare facilities need to do. There are several ways to do so, but hospital administrators must do their due diligence and screen all suppliers to ensure they are getting the best equipment for what they are paying.