subject: Affordable Surgical Supplies And Anesthesia Equipment In Small Healthcare Practices [print this page] The healthcare industry is a highly competitive profession. It requires years of training and expensive supplies and equipment to practice it.
The cost of keeping current on training and the procurement of costly surgical or anesthetic equipment and supplies must be passed on to consumers. But there are measures that may be taken to minimize expenses.
Most healthcare practitioners have found that leasing major end items for use in their clinics is a viable cost-cutting measure. Leasing large, expensive items can save literally thousands of dollars per year, if not per month.
Leases are often a fraction of what payments would be if purchased on credit. Major maintenance is also often deferred back to the owners of the equipment. Tax benefits are another possibility with leased medical equipment.
Savings to the physician may then be passed down to the patient. These saving can be a noteworthy amount, too. Physicians may have the opportunity to exercise options, such dollar buy-out purchases or equipment upgrades, at the end of contracts.
Leasing allows physicians to stay competitive and grow their business. Doctors, like everyone else, must embrace new technologies and these are often quite expensive. Making set monthly payments instead of huge purchase outlays helps smaller practices stay competitive.
Most small/medium sized businesses have a hard go of it during a recession. Medical offices are no different. The often treat uninsured people or those suffering the loss of work due to the economy. Illnesses don't discriminate based on who can or can't pay for treatment.
Unpaid bills account for millions of dollars in charge-offs each year. Whether a bill is paid or not, each time treatment is issued and medical equipment used, its usage must be accounted for.
Some medical supplies/equipment, such as disposable items like one-time-use anesthesia equipment cannot be leased. They are, however, relatively inexpensive and often bought in small lots on a regular basis.
Many medical supply companies have field representatives who visit practices on their own turf. Some of these companies offer special deals for switching to them as a vendor. Talk with each of these representatives and ask for samples of the items they sell.
Free samples let practitioners test different products in the field. Find the best ratio of quality to cost this way and focus purchases that way. Don't buy just because of cost; inexpensive often means inferior.
Search online for the same brands currently used. You'll be surprised how much you can save this way. Why not buy the same brands you currently use for less if possible? They're manufactured by same trusted company but are simply marked down in cost; usually through a bulk purchase by the vendor.
But not all suppliers are on the up and up. Some will offer you great savings up front and then sock it to you on shipping and handling. It may actually end up costing you more than you are currently spending.
Surgical supplies and anesthesia equipment are necessary commodities to most practices. Ensure your patients get the best care you can provide by using only the best supplies to provide it.
