Sensible Solutions for Refurbished Radiology

Maybe it’s time for a new MRI for your department, imaging center or practice. Or you think it might be a good idea to look into buying a pre-owned MRI.  Well, before you start saying things like “1.5T” or “high field open” or even “how much,” there are five important things to consider and they all lead to one single fact:  if you don’t have referral patterns that support this kind of pricey purchase, you may as well head to Las Vegas and blow that money at the casino. 

How you answer these five important questions can save you time, money and even more money. 

Watch Stuart Egles demonstrate the differences between a C-Arm's image intensifier size.  He explains the benefits of the 9" and 12" image intensifier.

If you do not have a C-Arm yet, but are planning on purchasing one soon, you should consider where the C-Arm procedures will be best performed.  What size room do you need to house the C-Arm and table?

When a hospital or imaging center has small lapses of operation due to down time it is inexcusable.   Your CT scanner has many moving components that are electrical, and the heat in the gantry can build up rather quickly. Cooling is a major requirement when it comes to modern multi slice CT systems that are designed to accommodate up to 100kW of tube power and very high patient load. Hence you need to keep the system and room chilled to prevent over-heating.

It was another great RSNA show in Chicago over Thanksgiving and chances are, you’ve still got visions of new MRI equipment dancing in your head.  But is now the best time to buy?  And is that new MRI really what you need in order to be more successful at your clinic or facility? 

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.