There are few things more important to a veterinarian than good quality veterinary equipment. After all, unlike a doctor, a vet cannot rely on a patient self-reporting their symptoms or concerns. Diagnosing an animal depends solely on the equipment you have at hand, as does your ability to provide treatment and on-going care.
With that in mind, the process of purchasing veterinary equipment should be approached with as much care and time as possible. Equipment is an expensive investment, and you want to be confident that your purchase will give you many years of good use.
With that in mind, here are five things to consider before purchasing veterinary equipment.
New or Used?
Point number one: new or used equipment?
Used equipment will obviously come with a cheaper price tag. However, due to wear and tear, it will likely have a shorter life-span. As a result, you could end up replacing parts or the entire device sooner than you would like, resulting in greater long-term costs.
There are other disadvantages to purchasing used equipment. It may not function as efficiently or accurately as you would like. It may be difficult to source replacement parts or find a technician willing to service it.
When presented with a choice between the two, always opt for new equipment. It may seem like a more significant upfront cost, but it will certainly pay off in the long run.
Size
Veterinary equipment comes in all different shapes and sizes. The type of equipment you opt for really depends on what sort of services you provide.
If, for example, you operate a rural clinic and find yourself often travelling to see patients, it’s a good idea to invest in POC (point of care) devices wherever possible. This means you will be able to carry your equipment with you.
If, on the other hand, you practice in a metropolitan setting and have a large, airy clinic space, you will have the option to invest in larger, fixed equipment.
Budget
Obviously, your budget will be a significant factor when purchasing veterinary equipment. Beyond the fixed price of the equipment itself, you will also need to factor in the cost of on-going maintenance and spare parts.
Many suppliers offer contract options, to make purchasing the equipment you need easier. Do your research and find a supplier who can work with you and your budget.
Service
Veterinary equipment, like all medical equipment, will require maintenance. This should be done on a regular basis. A maintenance schedule that is proactive (rather than reactive) will ensure that you are not left stranded with faulty equipment and a long waitlist of patients.
You need to purchase your equipment from a supplier that also offers maintenance. This point is non-negotiable. Elsewise, you may find yourself struggling to find a technician who can repair devices in a timely and efficient manner.
Training
Finally, training. Hopefully, the veterinary equipment that you purchase will be reasonably self-intuitive and easy to use — particularly if you have a large team of clinicians who will be using the device. However, it always helps if the supplier is prepared to offer installation and training.
This is particularly the case for innovative technologies and those that provide important diagnostic services, such as point of care ultrasound machines. The last thing you want is to be using a device incorrectly, therefore impeding your ability to provide accurate and timely care.
