WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Refurbished Medical Equipment has become an increasingly viable way to contain costs as more facilities look to rebuilt equipment as a painless way to extend their capital equipment budgets.

However, there is some confusion regarding the different terminology in this industry - refurbished, rebuilt, reconditioned, remanufactured and remarketed. What's the difference?

The FDA, in its analysis of this emerging market in 1996-1997, identified the following categories:

Servicers: Persons who repair a device and perform recommended scheduled preventive maintenance.

As-is remarketers: Persons who resell items to whom the operational condition of the device is unknown and the device may or may not be cosmetically enhanced.

Refurbishers: persons who visually inspect, functionally test, and service devices, as may be required, to demonstrate that the device is in good repair and performing all the functions for which it is designed but do not change a finished device's performance, safety specifications, or intended use.

Remanufacturers: persons who knowingly change the finished device's specifications or intended use as established by the original finished device manufacturer. Because of these alterations, this category falls under the FDA GMP requirements.

The terms refurbished, rebuilt, and reconditioned are used loosely and somewhat interchangeably to mean the same thing but the purchaser must be aware that there is a huge range of quality within this category and those deals that are "too good to be true" probably are just that. The wise buyer will purchase from a reputable company that is knowledgeable and helpful and that completely restores the equipment mechanically, electrically, and cosmetically. Please see HOW WME REFURBISHES.

Below are some criteria to help identify if refurbished equipment is an option for your facility:

1. We need more equipment than our budget allows.
2. Our procedures don't require the highest cost equipment.
3. We would like to standardize the same equipment in all our rooms.
4. The equipment we want is no longer being manufactured.

If refurbished equipment seems like a viable option, here are some questions to ask to make sure you get the best value on the market:

1. Does this company completely disassemble and repair every item, returning it to its OEM specifications? (YES)
2. Does this company cosmetically restore every piece of equipment? (YES)
3. Does this company offer a full parts and labor warranty? (YES)
4. Does this company offer the best price/quality/service combination available? (YES)
5. Has this company been in business long enough to establish a good reputation? (YES)

Now, if you've decided refurbished equipment is a good option and you have chosen a great company to work with, here is what you can expect:

1. You will realize a savings of 40 to 60%.
2. You will get the equipment you need and a warranty to back it.
3. You will receive the best and friendliest customer service possible.

Welcome to World Medical Equipment!

We look forward to working with you!

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