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When you work with the same medical equipment suppliers for years, you come to know everything about them. You may even form close relationships that make the ordering experience more rewarding.
However, if you want to cut costs or experience a new product type, you may decide to explore your options around new suppliers. Before you commit to a new range of products, ask them the following questions:
Are You Accredited?
When you start to buy medical equipment online, it’s easy to believe that every supplier you come across is ethical, verified, and safe. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Some medical supply companies exist to make a quick buck, often sacrificing quality and patient safety in the process.
Ask for qualifications, accreditations, and proof of their authenticity through medical bodies and state organizations. You can also gain further peace of mind by talking to their other customers and checking that their products are licensed. This small amount of homework could save you a considerable amount of stress and frustration.
Will the Customer Service Be Up to Scratch?
There is very little room for error in the medical industry. Just ask the one in two medical professionals who have been hit with lawsuits in the United States. When you buy any medical supplies online, you want peace of mind that any problems will be taken care of – and fast.
Something as simple as being able to reach someone on the phone when your order is late can offer a medical facility a lot of confidence.
How Long Will I Wait for Supplies to Arrive?
Time is of the essence in any hospital or clinic. Not having the right supplies can be a matter of life or death. Therefore, if you are thinking about signing with a new supplier, it pays to find out about the wait time for orders before you confirm.
Medical consumables are something hospitals use a lot of, with exam gloves, suture kits, bandages, and cotton gauze being powered through every day. A significant wait time on products such as these could bring emergency rooms to a disastrous halt. Equipment suppliers with items in stock should be able to deliver to metro areas overnight.
Do You Offer Warranties?
Medical equipment like monitors and ECG machines can cost thousands of dollars. When you buy this equipment brand new, you expect it to function as it’s designed. If it doesn’t, you also expect the company to reimburse you, replace it, or fix it.
Therefore, one of the best questions you can ask a new supplier is whether or not they offer warranties on their products. Read through the fine print of these warranties to ensure they cover everything you expect.
How Large is Your Product Range?
Just as you hope to purchase as many groceries from a single store as possible, many health facilities aspire to be able to do the same with their main suppliers. The more you can buy from a single company, the easier your ordering process will be.
Don’t be afraid to compare the products you receive now with those you could receive from a new supplier. There are plenty of companies out there that offer everything from medical consumables and equipment to furniture, instruments, and pharmaceuticals.
As daunting as it may be to start ordering your medical equipment from a different supplier, the shift can also be worth it. As long as you do your homework, ask the right questions, and know your rights, you can enjoy a convenient and memorable online ordering experience.
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