Quality, cost, service and value are key factors that should be considered when purchasing surgical instruments for ambulatory surgery centers, according to Marty Anthony, president of Ambler Surgical, an ophthalmic surgical instrument vendor based in Exton, Pa.
"Surgical instrumentation is the largest ASC expenditure, so when sourcing a surgical instrument company, it is important to assess whether any value-added resources are provided that will maximize long-term savings on your purchases," Mr. Anthony says. "Low-cost surgical instruments can be enticing, but if the quality of these instruments isn't reinforced with value-added resources, you are likely to find the benefit of your purchase to be short-lived."
Mr. Anthony highlights five important questions to ask when choosing a cost-effective surgical instrument supplier.
1. How does the vendor guarantee the quality of its instruments? A vendor should ideally offer two guarantees: a manufacturer's defect guarantee and free repair of its instruments, says Mr. Anthony. "A company that offers this type of program is providing additional reassurance that it stands behind its products."
2. Does your vendor participate in your center's group purchasing organization contract? If not, the vendor should provide a partnership program to help the surgery center reduce expenses and gain value on instruments, diamond knives, specialty items and sterilization products, says Mr. Anthony. "Ambler Surgical found it very helpful to create the Ambler Alliance exactly for this purpose," he says.
3. Are repair services provided through your instrument company? It is important to source a vendor that provides expert repair services and skill at maintaining microsurgical ophthalmic instruments, says Mr. Anthony.
4. Does the supplier provide materials to keep the surgery center informed about the proper care, handling, cleaning and sterilization of instruments? The vendor should offer a resource center in which customers can locate information and educational materials relating to the use and maintenance of all surgical equipment, says Mr. Anthony.
5. How does the instrument company demonstrate that it is concerned about the ongoing success of the surgery center? According to Mr. Anthony, it is important to ask several questions to determine if the vendor is doing more than simply selling instruments to the surgery center: What resources are available to help the center's staff? Are informative emails or newsletters provided? Are exclusive offers presented with industry partners that deliver continuing education opportunities, infection prevention and control services or association memberships? It should be clear that the vendor is putting forth an effort to engage and educate the surgery center rather than simply functioning as a resource for supplies, he says.
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"Surgical instrumentation is the largest ASC expenditure, so when sourcing a surgical instrument company, it is important to assess whether any value-added resources are provided that will maximize long-term savings on your purchases," Mr. Anthony says. "Low-cost surgical instruments can be enticing, but if the quality of these instruments isn't reinforced with value-added resources, you are likely to find the benefit of your purchase to be short-lived."
Mr. Anthony highlights five important questions to ask when choosing a cost-effective surgical instrument supplier.
1. How does the vendor guarantee the quality of its instruments? A vendor should ideally offer two guarantees: a manufacturer's defect guarantee and free repair of its instruments, says Mr. Anthony. "A company that offers this type of program is providing additional reassurance that it stands behind its products."
2. Does your vendor participate in your center's group purchasing organization contract? If not, the vendor should provide a partnership program to help the surgery center reduce expenses and gain value on instruments, diamond knives, specialty items and sterilization products, says Mr. Anthony. "Ambler Surgical found it very helpful to create the Ambler Alliance exactly for this purpose," he says.
3. Are repair services provided through your instrument company? It is important to source a vendor that provides expert repair services and skill at maintaining microsurgical ophthalmic instruments, says Mr. Anthony.
4. Does the supplier provide materials to keep the surgery center informed about the proper care, handling, cleaning and sterilization of instruments? The vendor should offer a resource center in which customers can locate information and educational materials relating to the use and maintenance of all surgical equipment, says Mr. Anthony.
5. How does the instrument company demonstrate that it is concerned about the ongoing success of the surgery center? According to Mr. Anthony, it is important to ask several questions to determine if the vendor is doing more than simply selling instruments to the surgery center: What resources are available to help the center's staff? Are informative emails or newsletters provided? Are exclusive offers presented with industry partners that deliver continuing education opportunities, infection prevention and control services or association memberships? It should be clear that the vendor is putting forth an effort to engage and educate the surgery center rather than simply functioning as a resource for supplies, he says.
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