These days, shopping online rather than in-store is the norm. This is true for all types of purchases, from personal items to those used for business. The medical industry is not exempt from this trend; while some medical and surgical equipment suppliers may have a showroom or head office, most operate in a solely online capacity.
There are many advantages to this approach, for both the purchaser and the seller. However, there are also a number of factors that should be considered before buying expensive medical equipment via the internet. Whether you are completely new to managing a healthcare facility or are thinking of re-assessing your relationship with a long-time supplier, continue reading to learn what you should consider when purchasing medical and surgical supplies online.
As is the case with all online purchases, it is imperative that you do your research and shop only with reputable companies. There are plenty of businesses out there that sell medical and surgical supplies. Unfortunately, not all are created equal.
Look for a team that has a great reputation both online and offline. Check for reviews and comments left by happy (or less than happy) customers. You can also ask for recommendations from others in your industry.
One of the main advantages to shopping online is that you can do so from anywhere in the world. Purchasing a specific Norwegian dining table to be shipped to Australia is no problem at all, it simply takes a few clicks of your mouse.
However, purchasing medical and surgical supplies online is a slightly different situation. To start with, the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) has fairly strict standards about the types of medical devices that can be manufactured, advertised, sold, and used in Australia. Not all countries follow the same regulations, which means that buying from overseas can be a potentially fraught task.
Where possible, it’s best to buy from a company that has some sort of presence in Australia and understanding of the local regulatory market.
The quality of care you are able to provide to patients often comes down to availability of equipment and consumables. As such, it’s imperative that any medical and surgical equipment supplier you choose to work with has strong and robust supply chains.
It’s not always easy to tell if a company is in a good position to deliver on client expectations, particularly since it’s highly unlikely that their website will explicitly share information about stock levels. This is another area in which it’s a good idea to read online reviews and perhaps also speak to a customer service representative about where they source products from and whether they have encountered any significant supply chain issues.
Most medical facilities, even specialist clinics, will require a range of different medical and surgical supplies. From a logistics standpoint, it’s a good idea where possible to source all equipment and consumables from the same supplier. As a healthcare manager, this will make your job far easier.
With that in mind, ensure that your chosen supplier has a broad enough product portfolio to meet your needs.
Just because you’re shopping online, doesn’t mean that you won’t need to speak to a real customer service representative from time to time. This is particularly true when purchasing medical supplies. An experienced customer service rep can provide you with advice tailored to your needs and circumstances. Top-performing medical equipment suppliers will ensure their customer service reps are highly trained and understand equipment from a technical perspective, meaning they can answer any and all questions you might have.
Even the best-quality medical equipment is not immune from breaking down. To keep your equipment running as smoothly and accurately as possible, it’s important that you follow a regular and scheduled maintenance program.
Not all suppliers will offer this. Whilst one online store might offer cheaper supplies and equipment, the trade off may be a lack of post-sales support. Ideally, you should be working with a supplier that offers full OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) maintenance, trained technicians to conduct repairs, and a full portfolio of contact and warranty options.
The last thing you want is to invest considerable money into a new piece of equipment, only to find that it breaks a few months later and you are left without appropriate support.
The advancement of the online medical and surgical supplies industry has been a great thing for both manufacturers and clients. But before you jump on board, make sure you’ve done your research and have confidence in the quality and professionalism of your chosen supplier.
