In the medical world, especially within dermatology, staying ahead with the latest technology is crucial for providing optimal patient care. However, investing in brand-new equipment can often be financially challenging for many dermatology offices and is not always necessary. This is where the smart choice of purchasing refurbished equipment can come into play. In this article, we’ll explore the various advantages of opting for refurbished devices in a dermatology office setting.
Reliability and Quality
Purchasing quality refurbished dermatology equipment can be a great cost saving. But that’s the key — it has to be high-quality refurbished. Additionally, it has to be a product that is reliable and worth the cost difference between new and refurbished.
Quality refurbished devices, which are essentially pre-owned equipment, have been thoroughly inspected, repaired and restored to a like-new condition. Reputable refurbishing companies follow rigorous processes to ensure that the devices meet or exceed the original manufacturer’s specifications. Asking colleagues who recently opened their own startup and doing your own research can help you narrow down which companies sell quality refurbished products and which companies to avoid.
Up-to-Date Technology
While every new office wants to be up to date with the latest technology, some devices have not changed drastically in the past 10 or 15 years. These are the products to consider buying refurbished. Not only does unchanged technology tell you that the product is reliable, but it also tells you that those products can stand the test of time for years to come in your practice.
Warranty and Support
Reputable refurbishing companies stand behind the quality of their products by offering warranties and comprehensive customer support. Ensuring you have at least one year or more of a warranty with most wear and tear issues will help make it worth it to have bought used. You should have peace of mind knowing that you have a safety net in case any issues arise. This level of support can be comparable or exceed what is typically provided with new equipment.
Consider All Sides
In the ever-evolving field of dermatology, choosing the right equipment is paramount to delivering high-quality patient care. While refurbished products are great, one major thing to consider is, will you be okay if one of the units you bought breaks down and needs repair? Food for thought — what are your backup plans? If you are like me and have multiple of a certain device, for example, multiple exam chairs, or two autoclaves or two cryostats, then having one down is not a major issue because you can still go about your day with the other. But if you only have three exam chairs or one cryostat and can’t risk having one down, then buying three refurbished chairs or only one refurbished cryostat may not be a wise decision for you. At the end of the day, it’s all a numbers game – is buying refurbished enough of a saving that it is worth it if one goes down in the beginning? Typically, if you have no issues for a few months to a year, the likelihood of you having an issue is pretty low or similar to that of a new unit.
My recommendations of items to consider buying refurbished:
- exam chairs
- hyfrecators/ electrosurgical unit
- lasers
- ultrasonic
- more rarely utilized instruments
- computers/screens (manufacture refurbished)
- cryostat
- medical fridges
- smoke evacuator
- office furniture (if desiring high-end desks, rolling chairs or waiting room chairs)
My recommendations of items to consider buying new:
- autoclave
- more often utilized instruments
- printer
- cabinets
- sinks
- faucets
- toilets
- washer/dryer/dishwasher (if putting in your office)
- television units
- microwave
- kitchen fridge
