Tips for Purchasing a Refurbished Surgical Table
July 18, 2018
A refurbished surgical table is a good investment for almost any medical facility, but finding a properly refurbished table from a reputable medical equipment source can require some extra research and purchasing considerations. Use our refurbished surgical table buying tips for a smoother purchasing process.
Benefits of Purchasing a Refurbished Surgical Table
The price is right
The most obvious advantage of purchasing a refurbished surgical table is the discounted price. Opting for a refurbished table allows your facility to get a like-new surgery table that functions just as well as a factory new unit, that can last just as long as a factory unit with the proper care and maintenance — at a fraction of the price.
There’s less training time
Purchasing a refurbished surgical table similar to the model you’re already using eliminates the learning curve that inevitably occurs when there’s a change in your facility’s workflow. Instead of training your staff on new, cutting-edge technology, you can stick with a platform you already know.
There’s more room in your budget
Choosing a less expensive refurbished surgery table over a new model can leave some room in your facility’s budget, allowing you to allocate more money to bigger projects. For example, save on a refurbished surgery table and put the savings toward new imaging equipment or a new procedure suite.
Some Research Required
While a refurbished surgery table can offer your facility a variety of benefits, it’s important to understand that these advantages only apply to properly refurbished equipment from a reputable company. Not all equipment refurbishers are comparable in experience and skill.
Avoiding the pitfalls of paying for an improperly refurbished surgical table requires some research. Consider the following questions before choosing a professionally refurbished surgical table provider:
Does the company have the necessary industry experience?
When choosing an equipment refurbishing partner, it’s important to find out about the company’s history and current market standing. Ask how long the company has been in business, and how long have they been refurbishing surgical tables.
You should also make sure that the company you choose has access to industry-standard, late model surgical tables. Choosing a table that has been tested and approved by the market is crucial, and finding a later model will help to ensure that the table is still supported by the manufacturer.
Does the company employ dedicated surgical table technicians?
Another sign that a company will be a good refurbished equipment provider is if they dedicate a specific amount of skills and space to surgical table refurbishment. Ask whether the company employs technicians with skills specifically related to surgical tables, and if they maintain a dedicated area to table refurbishment and testing.
Does the company follow a set protocol for refurbishing surgical tables?
A reputable surgical table refurbisher should have a standard refurbishment process that is transparent and addresses all aspects of the table. This process should include evaluation, refurbishment, repairing, and testing.
Here is an example of a typical refurbishment process for a surgical table:
A Typical Surgical Table Refurbishment Process
- Evaluation: When a surgical table arrives at the facility, technicians perform a full evaluation of the table to assess its condition.
- Biomedical Refurbishment: Technicians replace, adjust, and verify the effectiveness of the table’s working parts.
- Cosmetic Refurbishment: The table is cleaned and polished, with new patient pads and labels applied.
- Testing: The table is thoroughly tested to make sure it meets original equipment manufacturer specifications.
