Scientific and technological advancements are constantly pushing the boundaries of modern medicine. As a result, many elements go into keeping up with industry standards—including having the right medical equipment is essential to succeed in this constantly changing landscape.
However, there are also several challenges associated with buying medical equipment, including the following five common obstacles:
- Supply Chain Issues
- Escalating Costs
- Regulatory Challenges
- Cybersecurity
- Training And Development
Read on for a closer look at each of these problems and a lesser-known solution for overcoming them.
1. Supply Chain Issues Impact Production And Shipping
The pandemic crippled global supply chains, leading to rising costs and delivery delays. At the same time, demand for medical equipment continued to skyrocket. The result? A disparity between supply and demand—about the production and acquisition of goods.
Until the supply chain stabilizes and materials become available and affordable (which experts say is unlikely in 2022), upgrading to new machines may be impossible—due to shortages, costs, or both.
2. Escalating Costs Impact Healthcare Brands
Even without the breakdown of the supply chain, healthcare costs were already rising before COVID. However, the pandemic led to new levels of healthcare spending. Higher expenses for machines, along with labor, drugs, and medical supplies, are putting a severe strain on hospitals and other medical facilities.
Factor in the devastating impact of inflation and the problem is further amplified.
3. Many Facilities Face Regulatory Challenges
The medical device market is inconsistently regulated. While regulation is light in some areas, it’s heavy in others, with lengthy, costly, and cumbersome evaluation and approval processes.
Keeping up with these regulations is essential when buying new and used medical gear and machines in terms of patient safety and business compliance.
4. Cybersecurity Concerns Impact Equipment Usage
With the increase in the prevalence of digital equipment, cybersecurity concerns are abundant. While innovative technology has many advantages, the importance of patient privacy and protection per HIPAA cannot be overstated.
This means manufacturers may spend more time and money in the development process, which means a machine may take longer to make its way to facilities. Facilities must also exercise due diligence when selecting and utilizing medical equipment.
5. Ongoing Training Maximizes Effectiveness
Finding and buying a suitable machine is just one part of putting it to work for your facility. Also critical? Proper operation of that equipment. When upgrading medical devices, facilities must also prioritize best practices for staff training for new equipment while factoring in the cost of that training.
Given all of these challenges, it’s not surprising that many facilities face budget constraints accompanied by administrative pressure to demonstrate the necessity and value of each piece of new equipment.
Gumbo Medical Offers High-Quality Refurbished Equipment
One savvy solution? Investing in refurbished equipment. Not only is refurbished equipment budget-friendly, but it’s also restored to its original condition in terms of performance. This makes it an excellent choice for facilities looking to acquire (and afford) the medical equipment they need when they need it to serve their staff and patients better.
At Gumbo Medical, we specialize in refurbishing medical equipment to “like new” status. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your medical facility save up to 40 percent off high-quality used, refurbished, and new medical equipment.