What is the Appropriate Level of Refurbishing?
A few primary aspects of the equipment should be taken into account to help you find and choose the right used medical equipment that you need and get the best result for your purchased devices. Upon looking to purchase used medical equipment, you should ask questions about its functionality, its safety, and its cosmetic appearance.
First and foremost, your used medical equipment must operate to its OEM requirements and specifications to support your medical practice and your patients properly. That is, it must do its job as expected and reliably. Second, for its intended use, it must be “clean and sanitary.” Patient protection is otherwise at risk.
Function, durability, and cleanliness of equipment are therefore the priorities in refurbishing efforts and spending. ‘Reprocessed equipment’ is tested and thoroughly washed, disinfected, and sterilized by specialist technicians to ensure that it meets the operating and performance requirements of the manufacturer.
When first seen by patients and office visitors, the aesthetic appearance of used medical equipment may be critical. Used medical equipment that appears to be “new” instills confidence in patients, workers, and technicians alike. Fresh-looking instruments are trusted and brighten the overall appearance of the medical facility. Old tired-looking machinery in mediocre condition, showing years of work, results in reverse.
‘Cosmetically refurbished’ equipment shall be tested to meet the operating and performance requirements of the manufacturer, completely sanitized and painted, cleaned, or otherwise visually/cosmetically refurbished to look great and fresh, and shall eradicate all visual imperfections, including proof of wear and tear.
Of course, if your medical equipment is used in places that are not open to the eyes of your patients or other visitors to the medical office or hospital, its look or appearance is not that relevant. In such instances, the function and efficiency of the unit alone are what matter, and wasting money on cosmetics might not be needed.
In certain cases, refurbishing used medical equipment requires removing or modifying components or functional components to ensure that the device meets the functional requirements and/or existing performance expectations of the OEM. “Parts refurbished equipment” is medical equipment in which a dysfunctional part is removed and cosmetically repaired to ensure maximum operation.
Hospital equipment should be overhauled to ensure the complete and long-lasting use of medical equipment. The main mechanical parts or components with different propensities to malfunction over time are replaced with new or updated parts in “fully refurbished equipment.” The unit is reassembled, checked to OEM specifications for complete reliability, and fully cosmetically repaired as well.