SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOGWhat Are the Steps to Relocate Medical Imaging Equipment?
Relocation of the medical imaging equipment needs to be done by professional technicians with years of experience. Many hospitals prefer to locate such heavy and expensive equipment on the main floor to avoid steps. But the modern technology can allow the installation of such equipment on upper floors also. The suppliers, installers, Physicians and the staff of the recipients working together will be required to create a CAD Drawings floorplan to accommodate the primary unit like MRI and attendant structures like Faraday room (RF room), chiller. The CAD Drawings must be approved by all the affected parties for the success of such a project. The movement of the equipment thru hallways, steps, corners must me mapped out to avoid surprises when the equipment arrives to locate it from the truck to the final destination. On the site testing of Faraday Cage Shielding, recirculating cooling chillers, pumps and access to add the liquid helium to cool down the superconductive magnets coil in MRI scanners to a temperature below 10 Kelvin. A company called Cryogenics has developed a new way to cool magnets for MRI machines to near absolute zero without the need for a continuous supply of expensive liquid helium. Sometimes, medical workers are not sure why these steps cost and take so much time but the explanation is that they don’t really know what is all included in this process. But, if a person hasn’t moved such a machine yet he doesn’t know what to expect. Most of the imaging systems are not plug-and-play.
If your medical health care center has bought the latest model of imaging machine so, it is the time to locate it in the right area of the hospital. This means that the old equipment needs to be removed. De-installing, moving, relocating and re-installing such equipment is a tall order costing in access of $50,000.00. Semi-trucks, cranes and experienced manpower are required to undertake such project safely, timely and you are not allowed to break anything that may cost another $50,000 .00 or potentially render the equipment junk. Shipping such an equipment to the international client involves whole sets of new issues. But the resources are available to ship such equipment globally at the cost of $10,000.00 to $40,000.00.
Below are the tips to explain the general steps in the relocation of the medical imaging equipment:
- All these devices are expensive, large, and cumbersome. The medical technicians must be sure that the machines will fit properly in the selected area more exactly they will fit throughout the doors, around corners, and down hallways very easy. People must be also sure that the room is strong enough and they have to be aware that sometimes they may need to install metal rails or plates. A person needs to plan everything even though changing the power supply going into the planned area to bolting steel plates on the floor.
- Make a plan for downtime. When the time for moving the machine has come, be sure that to cease or alter the work in the surrounded area. Create a game plan some day before and all the people who are affected in the process are notified and have a proper timetable.
- Reinstall This is sometimes self-explanatory, but there could appear a collateral damage to the schedule of the patients if the medical staff is not careful about the communicating details of the relocation plan. Another thing which has to be considered is that this process could be difficult for the regular flow of the business which is advised to be in the surrounding rooms while Reinstallation process is going on.
- The bolts and the Nuts of the move. There is a wide range of actions here. In some situations, the movement of the medical imaging equipment could be very easy especially if you need a few people to finish the procedure. But, in some cases, when you try to move larger equipment you may need a crane or you could probably hire special professionals to reassemble or disassemble. Take a deep breath and think about your relocation because besides all, the imaging equipment is expensive and valuable. Maybe the best way is to find a proper company which knows how to best perform this action.
- Reinstallation Time. Keep in mind that the machine reinstallation of some new protocols and upgrades may take time and in some cases, it may take longer than 1-5 days. This is why you have to be sure that the final destination for the medical imaging equipment is ready. By creating a timetable you would be sure that all processes are falling into place-instead of falling apart. The most common delays in this section occur when the selected room is not ready. This is why a careful planning pays off.
- Think about the calibration process. It is good to know that the medical imaging devices are very sensitive and may not be functional after the relocation process is completed. The chosen installer needs to make sure that the calibration is where it should be for that modality. Do not schedule patients until the equipment installation, calibrations are completed and dry run testing is done.
Find a proper company to make the procedure cost less
In most of the cases a proper company which knows its work would be a perfect solution not only about the lower costs but because it would know the entire trick, a medical worker would not even imagine. Below are several tips for finding the proper company.
- Engineering experience: Find the right engineer with qualified training and education. Look for his experience in the proper area of work and make a decision if he is the right person for your process. The medical center could ask for license, certificate or some other pertinent document to clarify expertise of the company.
- Look for flexibility: When you find the right company, they will have all the answers to complete your task and relocation process. Make sure that the staff is not tasked with other healthcare organization so the process would be delayed a few days more. This is not in your favor. You can have penalty clause if the project is not done within the agreed upon time limit.
- Lower Rates: This is far away from the biggest factor in all Take a close look at what the company charges about the relocation process and see if that offer is convenient for you.
KB Consulting provides a full line pre-owned and refurbished medical imaging equipment for sale. Get in touch with us to buy medical equipment at the best price.
To get further information on availability, price, specification, and condition, please feel free to call us at +1 586 917 0245 or email us at sales@kbdentalconsulting.com.
