As the nation continues to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, economies are beginning to re-open, and it may be time to start planning your new hospital construction or renovation projects. Where do you begin? How can you even source and procure your equipment when it may or not be backordered?
With procurement consuming between 30% to 50% of total project funds, the involvement of reliable clinical consultants and medical equipment planners is critical to the success of the project. We, at CME Corp, have 3 plausible tips to guide you on your journey to fostering a well-equipped healthcare facility that opens on time.
1. Include a Medical Equipment Planner
The medical equipment planner is a healthcare industry-specific professional who works with the hospital departments, architect, engineer, contractor, project manager, and medical equipment distributor. Together, they plan, specify, purchase, and install the equipment for the new construction or expansion of an existing facility or a major remodeling project.
From equipment as small as a wastebasket to exam tables or even imaging equipment, the equipment planner serves as the central source of information, and helps the hospital make equipment decisions, assists the architect and engineer in completing the design, helps the contractor adhere to the construction schedule, and works with the distributor to ensure an on-time delivery. The equipment planner can also make sure there is adequate flex space, a necessary design element since COVID-19.
Bring the planner in as early as possible once the expansion or remodeling decision is made. This will make it possible for the business and clinical aspects of the affected services or departments to be appropriately considered for current and future clinical and demographic needs.
2. Source Your Equipment Strategically
When outfitting a newly constructed, expanded, or remodeled facility, selecting the equipment is one of many moving parts to the project. After the selection of your equipment, you must complete the purchase, and prepare for the delivery and installation of your equipment.
For optimal results, working with an equipment distributor like CME will allow you to consolidate your purchase orders and schedule your equipment delivery without setting time aside to set up your equipment. Our trained installation team will assemble and stage your equipment in our warehouse, deliver your equipment directly to your facility, and install the equipment in the applicable room. Our licensed Biomedical Equipment Technicians (BMETs) can augment your biomedical team to assist with electrical checks and asset-tagging to make sure your facility opens on time.
When a regional health care system in Maryland utilized their GPO contract and worked with CME to equip 76 new exam rooms, rehabilitation care, and a new laboratory, the system saved $182,300 over a previous bid. Additionally, the system's two construction projects turned into two well-equipped facilities that opened on time.
3. Understand Your Equipment Storage Options
If you're expanding or remodeling an already-existing facility and you're looking to clear out the spaces that were once vital during the pandemic, utilize our direct-to-site (DTS) services and our service centers across the country.
CME will pick-up, store, catalog, reassemble and deliver the equipment when you need it again. That also includes scheduling the equipment pick-up time, transporting the equipment to a local CME service center, disassembling the equipment, cleaning and disinfecting the equipment, warehousing and storing the equipment, and many more solutions that you can read about here.
Whether you are repurposing the equipment, disposing of the equipment, or seeking a storage solution, CME is here to assist you as you fulfill the needs of your new or newly renovated facility.
About CME: CME Corp is the nation’s premier source for healthcare equipment, turnkey logistics, and biomedical services, representing 2 million+ products from more than 2,000 manufacturers.
With two corporate offices and 35+ service centers, our mission is to help healthcare facilities nationwide reduce the cost of the equipment they purchase, make their equipment specification, delivery, installation, and maintenance processes more efficient, and help them seamlessly launch, renovate and expand on schedule.
