Purchasing Resources for Medical Supplies

Medical Supplies

Physicians, nurses, technicians, and other medical industry professionals require high-quality equipment and supplies for their practices. With the recent proliferation of the healthcare industry, there has been a boom in companies offering supplies for the industry. Choosing the best and most cost-effective suppliers is no longer a simple task; buyers must consider many factors that can directly affect the quality of their own practices and the health and safety of their patients. Below are some of the factors to consider when selecting the best medical supply company for your healthcare practice. Although this is not a comprehensive guide, it will aid you in your search.

Benefits

More than 411,400 workers in the United States work in the medical devices and equipment industry, according to Medical Product Outsourcing. While most of these workers work for reputable companies, there are some less-reputable companies that offer substandard supplies. Whether you are trying to grow your practice or keep up with your current patient load, having a reputable medical supplies company can help keep your patients safe and your practice profitable.

Sterile Equipment

The main reason to use a reputable medical supply company is to ensure that you are getting sterile equipment and supplies. Tainted supplies can harm your patients. Because of this, getting sterile supplies is essential, even if you have to pay a little more money than you would at a cut-rate medical supply company.

Quality

Quality medical supplies may cost you more than substandard supplies; however, when you factor in the lost money due to broken or unusable supplies, you will likely find that high-quality supplies actually save you money. Another thing to consider is that when you use high-quality supplies, your patients are more likely to think of your practice in a positive manner. Having a speculum break during an exam or a needle break during a blood draw doesn’t speak well of your practice or your ability.

Time Frame

Most reputable medical supply companies will do whatever they can to ensure that you have all of the supplies you need. They will likely have various shipping options available to accommodate your needs and your budget. And, most of these companies will guarantee that you get your supplies on time. Some less-than-reputable companies may only offer one type of shipping, and even that option is likely without any guarantee of receipt.

Recalls

In the medical supply industry, there is always a chance that items will be recalled. If your practice does business with a reputable company, a representative from the company will likely call you if any items you ordered have been recalled. During this call, the representative will make arrangements with you to get you replacement supplies and pick up the recalled supplies. It is very unlikely that a less-than-reputable company will do this.

Pitfalls

The medical industry has advanced into one of the most consistently profitable businesses today. With the great many advances come a few disadvantages that arrive with every large and emerging business. These pitfalls can be easily avoided by having a prior knowledge of what to look out for.

Product Statistics

With any new technology comes a wealth of information regarding the average outcome from the use of this product. This is especially common among medical supplies that are consumed or ingested by the end user. The problem with statistics used is they don’t fully represent the entire spectrum of people that could possibly use the product. This is due to pressure and time constraints of those usually funding the creation of the product.

Influence by Source of Funding

Whether this pressure is caused by in-house employees or an outside source of funding, it accelerates the time in which products are released, but can risk lowering the quality of the end product. A great example of this is the fine print and quickly spoken messages during every new type of medicine that hits the market. These are all warnings about the possibilities of what could happen by using their product. These warnings aren’t to protect the user, but to protect the company creating the product.

Promotional Pressure

Another problem with medical supplies is the possibility of a certified doctor or physician being compensated for the sale and recommendation of certain products. This usually takes form in the way of financial compensation to the medical practitioner who is pushing the product for the medical company. The problem with these types of recommendations is again hurting the consumer or patient. Instead of having an unbiased medical opinion about multiple different products, you have a bribed medical practitioner practically selling a product for a brand. This is not the type of medical industry that any patient wants, just the doctors and manufacturers.

Pricing

Medical supplies are a broad category and include inexpensive items like gloves and gauze to advanced and costly equipment like machinery and devices. It is also a profitable industry; for example, Canada’s medical device industry has seen nearly six billion dollars in sales according to MEDEC, the national association for Canada’s medical technology industry. As hospitals and other medical practices continue to experience rising costs in supplies, it is important to purchase wisely to help reduce the financial implications of buying medical supplies.

Buying in Bulk

Bundling supplies is a great way to save money, especially on items that see frequent use. Medical practices can go through thousands of gloves each year, which then amounts to tens of thousands of dollars spent for their procurement. Instead of buying boxes individually, your business may want to consider buying items in multiple quantities, as most suppliers are willing to discount the total price. For example, you could buy a box of gloves for $16 or purchase five of the same boxes for a total cost of $56, which would save you $24 in the end.

Buying from Online Vendors

A number of reputable medical supply stores are available online, often with better discounts and a wider selection than other distributors. Many websites also offer customers the ability to buy in bulk, which is perfect for medical practices, and options for free shipping if you purchase over a specific amount. Online vendors are a great way to compare costs and ultimately save money on your supplies.

Conclusion

Reputable medical supply companies will provide products and equipment that are fully tested and proven as well as properly packaged and sterile. Products of high quality will increase patient confidence in your practice and will result in stable patient relations and referrals. Representatives of quality supply companies will be honest and upright in handling problems such as recalls or defective products.

You must be careful in not bowing to pressure from some salespeople to compromise your integrity by taking kickbacks or other incentives for promoting their products, which may or may not be safe. With the pressure to deliver, many medical products do not undergo sufficient testing before being brought to the market.