Archive for August, 2011

Purchasing Used Medical Equipment: It’s Easy and Economically Wise

Today, economic challenges are affecting individuals and businesses globally. Consignment shops are thriving and coupon cutting is on the rise again, since most people are trying to find ways to make their dollars go farther. The medical profession is also feeling the impact of these hard economic times. In an effort to cut costs and reduce wasteful spending more hospitals and private medical practices are seeking new ways to save money without reducing the quality of care they provide. Purchasing gently used medical equipment enables hospitals to spend their funding wisely, provide patients with safe treatment, and contribute to society by wasting less.

These days, purchasing new medical equipment is costly and most hospitals are under duress with budget cuts. In an effort to increase profits, purchasing pre-owned, gently used medical equipment is becoming a popular trend and a wise business decision for all types of medical care facilities.

The easiest way to shop for used medical equipment is online. It is important to research the supplier and take precautions before making a purchase. Always buy from a reputable supplier who will deliver the equipment safely and directly to the facility and have an experienced technician available to check that the equipment is in sound condition. Look for a dealer who will provide servicing of the equipment in a reasonable time frame. If possible, make sure the equipment is functioning at optimal performance before you have finalized the payment. Request a contract that would hold the dealer liable for any malfunctions that take place for the duration of the contract period.

The best way to find a trustworthy medical equipment supplier is by speaking with existing clients to find out the quality of their pre-owned purchases from the dealer. Clients who have previously dealt with the company will also be able to help you assess how well the dealer handles after sales service.

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Defibrillators on Aircrafts Can Save Lives

Imagine settling in for a plane ride and suddenly the passenger next to you goes into cardiac arrest. Most people that have watched any type of medical show on television know that when dealing with health matters of the heart, time is of the essence. From the time a person goes into sudden cardiac arrest (SRA), there is about a ten minute window following the initial attack to shock and regulate the heart by administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and by using an automated external defibrillator (AED). These machines represent one of the fastest-growing areas in medical equipment today.

The American Heart Association conducted a study that found that commercial airline companies could save time, lives, and money by having portable semiautomatic defibrillators on aircrafts and in airline terminals. In addition to having these life saving devices on board, proper life-saving training of flight crew attendants helps to avoid changing flight patterns because the aircraft must be redirected to the nearest airport. An average airliner requires approximately twenty minutes to descend from its cruising altitude. An airline passenger who is experiencing ventricular fibrillation or an irregular heartbeat can suddenly lose consciousness and is at a high risk for death if proper medical treatment is not administered swiftly.

In a five year study of Qantas airlines, researchers in Australia passengers that five out of six passengers that suffered an attack and were treated with onboard AEDs survived. Some experts believe that this statistic proves an imminent need for AED medical equipment in the airline industry. AED medical equipment allows non-medical personnel to offer immediate assistance to someone who is experiencing cardiac arrest.

Furthermore, a more shocking statistic is that research determined that more airline passengers have died aboard planes of cardiac arrest than in plane crashes. Approximately 1.000 people die on airliners, per year, from ventricular fibrillation. In practically every situation where airlines were only able to provide CPR, the passengers were dead by the time they reached the airport terminal. When defibrillators were on board the aircrafts, death was frequently averted and victims were able to make it to the nearest hospital. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concluded that if commercial airlines implement airline AED programs the cost would be minimal and well worth the cost per passenger.

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