Maximize Your Medical Equipment Procurement Process: The Benefits of Onboarding In-House Medical Equipment Planners

The healthcare industry is never stagnant, and healthcare providers are always adapting and evolving to keep up with the changing industry trends. One aspect that remains constant, however, is the importance of a reliable, efficient, and effective healthcare supply chain. A smooth-running supply chain department ensures that healthcare facilities are well-equipped with the necessary resources to provide patients with the best quality care.

In recent years, onboarding in-house medical equipment planners has become an effective way to maximize the healthcare supply chain. In-house medical equipment planners ensure that new equipment purchases are made accurately and at a cost-efficient price.

This blog will discuss the benefits of onboarding in-house medical equipment planners for your healthcare facility’s supply chain procurement plan.

Understanding the Role of Medical Equipment Planners in Healthcare

Medical equipment planners are vital to the healthcare industry, working hand-in-hand with architects, engineers, and contractors to plan, specify, purchase, and install the equipment for a new construction project, remodel, campus expansion, and even life cycle replacement of aging medical and diagnostic major capital equipment.

In the healthcare industry, medical equipment planners are responsible for ensuring that the right equipment is purchased, delivered, and installed correctly. Their job requires a high level of technical knowledge and expertise, and a thorough understanding of the healthcare industry’s complex and changing needs.

In-house Equipment Planners for Building Commissioning and Retro-Commissioning

An in-house equipment planner is responsible for the building commissioning and retro-commissioning of medical facilities. Building commissioning is a quality assurance process that assesses new or renovated buildings’ systems, including HVAC systems, plumbing, and electrical systems, to ensure they meet the owner’s requirements and work correctly. Retro-commissioning, on the other hand, is a process to improve the performance and efficiency of existing building systems.

In-house equipment planners monitor the commissioning process, ensuring the installation and testing of equipment and systems are complete and report any issues. They also ensure that maintenance and testing plans are in place, and that any necessary corrective action is identified and implemented.

In-house vs. Third-Party Medical Equipment Planners

There are two options for medical equipment planners: in-house and third-party. Third-party planners are hired by the healthcare facility and work as consultants. On the other hand, in-house planners are part of the facility’s staff and work full time.

Third-party medical equipment planners are well-versed in the industry and can work in various healthcare facilities. Still, they may not have a deep understanding of the facility’s specific needs and preferences. In-house planners, on the other hand, are familiar with the facility’s operations, workflow, and budget, and have a comprehensive understanding of the facility’s medical equipment needs.

Better Control Over Equipment Purchasing and Equipment Fleet Inventory Management

In-house medical equipment planners have a deep understanding of the facility’s specific needs and preferences. They can work more closely with the facility management and clinical staff to identify and purchase the most suitable equipment for the facility.

Moreover, in-house equipment planners can better control inventory management by overseeing the ordering, supply, and maintenance of the facility’s equipment. Being familiar with the equipment and its usage pattern, they can identify potential issues and anticipate the need for maintenance, repair, or replacement. Consequently, they can manage the inventory more effectively, saving time and reducing costs.

Improved Cost Efficiency and Budgeting

With their knowledge of the facility’s medical equipment needs and preferences, in-house planners can be more strategic about equipment purchasing. They can work closely with the facility management and financial department to ensure equipment purchases are adequately budgeted and costs are kept under control.

In-house planners can leverage their knowledge to recommend refurbished equipment when appropriate or negotiate better prices with vendors. They can also monitor equipment usage patterns and identify opportunities to divest equipment that is no longer required.

Overall, onboarding in-house medical equipment planners can result in significant cost savings, improving the facility’s bottom line.

How to Develop an Effective Onboarding Process

To maximize the benefits of onboarding in-house medical equipment planners, it is essential to have a well-planned onboarding process in place. This section outlines the key considerations for an efficient onboarding process.

Identifying the Right Skillset and Experience for In-House Medical Equipment Planners

Hiring the right person for the medical equipment planner’s role is crucial. The ideal candidate should have a background in healthcare or medical technology, and technical expertise in medical equipment planning, installation, and maintenance.

In addition to technical skills, the candidate should have excellent communication and coordination skills, as the role requires working closely with clinical staff, management, vendors, and contractors.

Integrating In-House Planners into the Supply Chain Team

After identifying the right candidate, it is essential to integrate them into the supply chain team. This integration will ensure that the planners understand the facility’s specific needs, preferences, and working methods.

The onboarding process should include comprehensive training on the facility’s workflow, policies, and procedures. The in-house planner should also be introduced to vendors and contractors and given an overview of the facility’s equipment inventory and maintenance policies.

Onboarding in-house medical equipment planners can bring significant benefits to healthcare facilities’ supply chain. They can better control equipment purchasing and inventory management, improve cost efficiency and budgeting, and ensure that the facility has the right equipment to provide the best quality care.

Developing an effective onboarding process requires identifying the right skill set and experience for the in-house medical equipment planner and integrating them into the supply chain team. With the right person and a well-planned onboarding process, healthcare facilities can maximize the benefits of in-house medical equipment planners and ensure an efficient, effective, and reliable supply chain.

As always, until next we meet, I appreciate all you do.

TH

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