Sensible Solutions for Refurbished Radiology

People everywhere are coming around to the benefits of pre-owned medical equipment, but this is particularly true in the developing nations of the world.  If the average annual income is US $8,000 (India) or US $12,200 (Romania), it might be hard for a nation to fund new state-of-the-art technology in all of its hospitals and clinics.  Even when substantial public or private investment is available, the choice for every parcel of money can be between one new system vs. two, three or four used systems.  This is true even for purchasers in developed nations, and is now a crucial option worldwide. 

Buying from a Stocking Dealer is usually not the cheapest way to buy used and refurbished medical equipment.  It’s not.  Think about it… they do things like pay to pick-up and deliver the equipment to their location, compensate extra staff, and spread out the costs of forklifts and other warehouse equipment. So, why buy equipment from a firm with the actual systems in their warehouse?  Why does it make sense to sometimes pay a little more than buying from a broker? 

These days, there’s an increased popularity in “Spot the Difference” photos.  You see them on the internet, in Facebook, in popular magazines—at first glance the photos seem identical.  But look closer, and there are some real differences.  One shirt has five stripes instead of six, one girl has freckles and the other doesn’t.  Well, if you put an OEC 9600 C-Arm next to an OEC 9800 C-Arm, you’d be hard pressed to be able to tell the difference.  The frame is nearly identical.  The size and weight are the same.  Even most experts can’t tell the difference at first.  

So you’ve discovered the enormous benefits of purchasing pre-owned, refurbished medical equipment like MRIs, CTs, C-arms, PETs or other imaging devices.  And you’re feeling pretty smart.  After all, you get the ideal imaging equipment for your  facility without paying full price for the shiny new toy.  If you were wise enough to buy from Atlantis Worldwide, you like the fact that they put all pre-owned equipment through a no-holds-barred process that ensures the highest quality standards, rock star performance and reliability and a price point that makes you look like a genius.  In other words, it’s as good as new, without the OMG price tag.  You also like the fact that Atlantis Worldwide provides an amazing warranty and the exact kind of service contract that will keep it running like new—without the headaches.  Think your job is over?

Purchasing a refurbished C-Arm is a great investment for a private practice that is just starting out, a cost-conscious hospital looking to upgrade their radiology equipment, or any medical facility that is looking for a sensible solution while maintaining a high quality of care. The catch in this market is what “refurbished” means to one company may be different from what “refurbished” means to another. Some companies say they refurbish C-Arms, but in reality all they do is give the C-arm a paint job, and while that’s important, it’s not enough. So before you get to the buying stage, make sure you read this article, it will clearly outline all the things you should know and expect from a refurbished C-Arm. 

Whether you are a physician looking to open up a pain management practice, or a facility thinking of expanding to add surgical procedures, you will need a C-Arm system. We know the search process can be overloaded with information, and purchasing a C-Arm can be an expensive undertaking. But if you keep these 3 key questions in mind, your answers will steer you in the right direction, and you’ll find the perfect device, whatever your radiology needs may be.

Deciding to purchase a C-Arm for your practice is easy enough, but choosing which one is appropriate for you can be a little more complicated. To simplify things, we’ve outlined the questions you should ask and ideas to keep in mind while you shop. Follow these guides, and you will be pleased with your purchase. Then, later on, you won’t have to ask yourself, WHY? 

We know what’s it’s like.  Your healthcare facility, clinic or practice needs a new C-arm.  And everyone has an opinion.  This bright, new shiny toy that just came out.   Look at this brand.  Don’t spend too much.  Make sure you get the right size.  Maybe we can’t afford one. We’re sure we can’t afford not to. Where are you going to buy it?  Talk to my cousin, he can get you one. 

Everyone understands that most diagnostic imaging systems are a long-term investment. The inevitable “big” question is, “When is it time to purchase newer equipment versus making do with perfectly functional existing technology?”  It’s a challenge that faces most purchasing departments, clinic and hospital administrators, physicians and office managers—and it’s where Atlantis Worldwide can step in and help make a decision easier.  No, we don’t have a crystal ball that allows us to gaze into the future and determine your best course of action.  But we DO have more than 20 years of experience in buying and selling imaging equipment, so we understand the market and can help our customers identify the best equipment solutions for their budgets and needs.

When you involve the Atlantis Worldwide team in the decision making process, we will work with you to gather pertinent information that will enable you to make a more informed decision.  We’ll compile review a wide range of data:  what are the comparative costs of installation?  Can your existing system be upgraded easily, or is it easy to remove and replace the equipment?  What is the turnover timing?  How has your market changed and what are the current needs of your patients, physicians and community?   What is the current and ideal workflow?  How does equipment depreciation factor in?  How will the impending changes to Medicare and the insurance industry impact your business?  What are the cost differences in servicing new systems versus upgrading existing ones?  By answering these and other questions, oftentimes it illuminates the perfect solution for your diagnostic imaging needs.