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Recertified Medical Equipment Purchasing Guide for EMS
Refurbished medical equipment is a cost-effective alternative to buying new, especially for EMS, first responders, and pre-hospital transport groups who often operate within tight budgets. Purchasing capital medical equipment including defibrillators, monitors, AEDs, ventilators, suction units, stretchers, infusion pumps, and more, comes with many sets of considerations. Today we want to collect and answer frequently asked questions in a Refurbished Purchasing Guide for EMS, aligning your equipment needs with your budget.
Q: Is recertified equipment dependable?
A: Recertified equipment undergoes a rigorous testing and repair process by certified biomedical technicians to certify that a pre-owned device meets or exceeds the manufacturers original standards.
Q: What standards are used during the recertification process?
A: All equipment is put through rigorous testing to ensure performance, accuracy, calibration, cleanliness, safety, OEM specifications, and more. OEM Specifications are measured by NIST-traceable calibrated testing equipment. Capital equipment is calibrated with state-of-the-art testing equipment from Fluke Biomedical including the OneQA system.
Q: Who performs the recertification of the equipment?
A: Master Medical Equipment’s recertified equipment is worked on by CABT and CBET-Certified biomedical technicians at ReNew Biomedical. ReNew’s technicians are OEM-trained, and many were also trained as military biomeds. Both MME and Renew are ISO 13485 certified, ensuring a high standard of quality management systems for both companies.
Q: Will my refurbished equipment come with documentation the recert process?
A: Recertification documentation is readily available upon request. You’ll get a full process report, biomed’s bill of health, calibration report, and electrical safety testing reports. Additionally, any information about parts replaced will be available. Best of all, all recertified equipment comes under warranty, with extended service plans available!
Q: How does the cost of recertified equipment compare to new equipment?
A: Typically, recertified equipment is 30-70% less expensive than new models. This significant cost-saving does not compromise on functionality, safety, or patient care.
Q: What parts, if any, are replaced during recertification?
A: Recertification will replace worn or near-end-of-life components. Your refurbished equipment will include a report of all work done.
Q: How does recertification affect the lifespan of a unit?
A: Expected lifespan can vary, depending on the type of equipment, manufacturer year of the model, availability of replacement parts, usage rate, and OEM support. Service plans, including annual maintenance, help extend the lifespan of your recertified equipment significantly. Work with your rep to understand the expected lifespan, service contracts, or trade-in programs for your equipment.
Q: Does recertified equipment come with a warranty?
A: Yes, recertified equipment comes with a warranty on parts and labor for normal wear and tear. A service plan additionally covers all the repair work, bumper to bumper. Work with your MME rep to find out what service plan makes the most of your warranty options.
Other questions to ask your Master Medical Equipment Rep about your potential purchase:
- Does this unit need any software upgrades?
- Is there ongoing technical support and training available for this equipment?
- Are replacement parts readily available for this model?
- How often does this unit require servicing?
- Can the equipment be integrated with our existing digital reporting and monitoring systems?
Conclusion
Refurbished medical equipment presents an excellent opportunity for EMS and emergency response teams to access essential technology within budget. By asking the right questions, teams can ensure they acquire reliable, effective equipment that meets both their medical and financial needs.
Ready to explore high-quality refurbished medical equipment options? Shop online or contact our experts for personalized, clinical advice and equipment solutions tailored for your needs.