We are all witnesses to the healthcare changes and the fact that healthcare workers are facing with the reality of reducing costs and at the same time improving the patient’s services. This is why refurbished medical devices are becoming more and more popular and practical. The market with refurbished medical equipment is starting to contribute to the solutions to the societal challenges simply by reducing and conserving resources, offering financial benefits from extending the life value of manufactured devices, also increasing the access to healthcare and alleviating the healthcare cost pressure.

It is very important to remember that when the medical equipment is refurbished it has increased the life of the equipment negating requirement of new equipment as long as the technology is current and acceptable by the industry. This means that it is expected that these devices could be refurbished in order to maximize the useful life of the specific device in a cost-effective way. Another thing to consider is that refurbishment of these long-lived medical machines requires very different systems and processes compared with the original process of manufacturing new unit. Few medical service organizations are fully equipped to manage the refurbishment process effectively. Although GE may have stopped production of new medical imaging equipment they may benefit by using their knowledge to refurbish the older GE equipment for sale under GE warranty which is a win-win for GE, sales teams, service teams and end users.

The software used in the new medical imaging equipment are revised frequently for improved function of the unit. At the time of the resale of the medical equipment the software is included which may not be the property of the reseller requiring contacting the provider of software to enter into a new contract and possible litigations as someone has to pay extra fees for the use of the software.

Removal of the used medical imaging system also requires an expert service tech as the equipment after removal and disassembly may not work the same as when it was in the installed position. The de-installation and the re-installation needs well qualified medical technicians with years of experience.

Refurbishment represents a systematic process which brings the used equipment to the same level of specifications as when it was new or even better. This activity provides special benefits from environmental and also social perspective. When a medical device is refurbished it means that their lifetime is extended normally from 5/7 to 10/14 years and sometimes more. When refurbishment is done, it practically saves the energy and also the materials which are used to produce the new device. Beyond all these important environmental advantages, the business sectors which can develop this type of medical devices makes a robust effort to make critical medical imaging equipment available in those countries where there is a complete acceptance for utilizing advanced refurbished or used medical equipment.

However, there are several factors which have to be taken into consideration when deciding whether the medical equipment should be refurbished:

• The cost for ongoing maintenance in the remaining life of the devices
• The influence which refurbished process would have on quality and productivity
• Safety, health and environmental costs which come together with the breakdown of the equipment
• Relevant costs of the refurbished/used equipment compared to a new piece of medical equipment
• Disposal costs
• De-installation costs
• Re-Installation costs
• Costs which are incurred from the possible downtime of the equipment

Because there are so many factors which should be considered, the final decision should be made according to the data analysis.

Analyzing the real costs
Professionals should always research long term implications of buying used, refurbished or the new medical machine. When you decide to buy a new device, take into considerations the cost, the service specifications, operating costs, and also the potential salvage value. But, when the medical equipment is used or refurbished, consider the probability about its remaining service life, market value, future salvage rate, and also operating costs. From all this important information you could make an educated final decision and an annual average cost effect for each of the mentioned alternatives which would be easy to compare and determine.

Good refurbishment practice
Medical equipment which has been used is a valuable piece which needs to be preserved. This means that if the medical equipment is being re-used it has to be processed in a special way in order to avoid risk for patients, users and also for healthcare workers just to make sure that the new medical device is safe and effective as when it was new. The concept of “Good Refurbished Practice” is well known and it outlines a dedicated way just to process the used medical devices. All these companies which main domain is refurbishing have developed a standard which defines special requirements for the refurbishing protocol. This is all done to obtain tangible, clinical and also financial viewpoint.

Summary
Early replacement of the newest and advanced technology makes sense only when it is thought to be used. All medical devices are planned and created for a specific lifetime considered by the manufacturer. When the medical equipment is set up for the first time, the manufacturer guarantees for its safety and effectiveness for a certain period but only when the proper scheduled maintenance program is being used. However, refurbishment represents the economic and functional life of medical devices. At the end of the machine life period, it needs to be recycled as electronic and also an electrical waste. But, when refurbishing process to old medical equipment is done, it practically means that this process provides value to a new medical user. Commercial airlines industry uses charts to replace each functioning parts of an airplane such that in several years in the future most of the parts in this unit are replaced with the new ones.

Responsible manufacturers establish the refurbishing process as a result of their vast experience and good reliable proven processes to deliver their refurbished devices around the world. These systems are not recommended only for small hospitals and medical practices but also for leading medical centers as well.

Many Government supported medical service providers, large hospitals and medical colleges will use only the new equipment as a matter of policy. They also dispose of this new medical imaging equipment after a time specified by their organizations and are sold to the resellers again as a matter of policy and/or concerns about safety, potential injuries and undue litigations from the powerful national Lawyers conglomerates, especially in the western societies.

The software used in the new medical imaging equipment are revised frequently for improved function of the unit. At the time of the resale of the medical equipment the software is included which may not be the property of the reseller requiring contacting the providers of software to enter into a new contract. Research of the software ownership will prevent possible litigations as someone has to pay extra fees for the use of the software.