From the August 2016 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
Support your staff
Every day your staff relies on its equipment to help care for your patients. Building a relationship with physicians, nurses and staff helps service partners understand your facility’s unique needs, and do a better job of meeting them. Find a partner who not only knows the equipment, but also invests in knowing your staff and how they use the equipment.
Some technical service providers can educate staff on how to properly use and maintain components of equipment to help you fully utilize your purchase. They can also act as an ally, helping to answer questions and provide in-service training to assist your staff. Furthermore, they can teach staff best practices for use, care and maintenance to help keep your equipment in operation and help you get the most from your investments.
Additionally, a service provider that can properly document all preventive maintenance inspections and repairs allows your staff to focus on providing quality patient care. This includes supporting your health system with documentation for processing the necessary paperwork to maintain compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) medical equipment maintenance regulations and standards.
Provide consultation during the purchasing process
Decision makers must focus on much more than the line-item cost when making equipment purchases. With heightened pressure on controlling equipment costs, equipment service providers can help provide guidance during the purchasing process. Some service partners can help hospitals evaluate the total cost of equipment ownership, including potential investment to train staff, and needs for proper cleaning and handling. Additionally, they can provide insight on consumables necessary for equipment operation and preventive maintenance services that can reduce repair frequency and cost.
Selecting an equipment service provider who can serve more as a strategic partner can help make it easier to get the most from your equipment investments. The next time you are considering an equipment service partner, evaluate the offerings they can provide beyond repairs to help get the most value for your health system.
About the author: Alisandra Rizzolo is vice president and general manager of global customer experience, Stryker Instruments Division.Back to HCB News
