When it comes to deciding whether to replace or repair a defective medical instrument, you should consider two important factors – safety and sanitation and cost. For some medical supply managers, they just take into account the age of the equipment and compare the cost of repairing it to the cost of replacing it.

Medical Instruments for Repair

Not all medical instruments are subject to repair. Some instruments are just replaced if they start acting weird. Common medical instruments that are brought for repair are Phaco handpieces, Ethicon Harmonic scalpels, Endoscopy cameras, and camera cable assemblies. These are medical instruments that probably stopped working because one of its components stopped working but is replaceable.

When to Have an Instrument Replaced?

When having a medical instrument repair, you should expect your instrument to be not available for a period of time unless you have a spare. So, when it is not practical to bring your medical instrument to a medical instrument repair service center?

• if no parts are available
• if service cost is too high
• if patient care is interrupted because you are waiting for the medical instrument
• if the device has been showing a lot of problems recently

What to Consider When Choosing a Repair Service for Your Medical Instruments?

If you are a supply manager of a big hospital or clinic, it is best to entrust your medical instruments to a reliable medical instrument repair center. Before choosing one, you should ask them the following:

• where are they getting the parts they use for replacement and repair?
• are they practicing proper sanitation such as sterilization for all medical instruments they are repairing?
• do they offer guarantees?
• how long is their turnaround time?
• do they have certifications or license as a medical instrument service center?
• can they provide references, or can they show their portfolio?

Spending for a repair can be costly and timely but if you will establish a partnership with a reliable medical instrument service center, you might find your hospital saving more in the long run. In addition, filling out a repair form is much easier than filling out a new procurement order especially if you are in a big hospital.