Diagnostic imaging technology is one of the inventions that have transformed the medical industry. This technology allows doctors and nurses to properly diagnose conditions. It also lets them get a better understanding of diseases and what’s going on in their patient’s bodies.
That’s why having properly functioning radiology equipment is so important. It’s part of what leads to your practice’s success. Failure to upgrade your medical imaging equipment can actually lead to misdiagnoses and dangerous repercussions for your patients’ health.
If you’re unsure if it’s time for a medical imaging upgrade in your facility, there are a few things that you can look out for. Here’s a quick guide on how to know if it’s time for a radiology equipment upgrade.
1. You Constantly Need to Repair Your Radiology Equipment
Every piece of technology will require repairs at some point or another. Keeping up with those repairs is normal, responsible, and a necessary part of safe and successful operation.
However, if you’re finding that you and your team are in constant need of repairs, it may be time for an upgrade. You shouldn’t be repairing your machinery more often than you’re using it.
Failure to get your equipment updated in time can lead to mounting repair costs. Once your machinery’s warranty expires, it will cost your practice a great deal of money to replace out-of-date parts and to repair malfunctioning radiology systems.
On top of that, ignoring repairs or foregoing a new replacement altogether can lead to injuries and hazards. There have been reported cases of hospital workers suffering from accidents thanks to outdated equipment that wasn’t replaced or repaired when it should have been.
Instead of waiting until it’s too late, getting brand new equipment can save you costly repairs. And, it can save you costly mistakes.
Rather than putting your staff and your patients in danger, you can get ahead of these issues by upgrading your radiology equipment when you begin to notice it spends more time getting fixed than it does getting used.
2. Your Equipment is Out of Date
Technology companies are constantly coming out with new updates and machinery. And, while in some cases this can feel as if you’re simply keeping up with the Jones’s, it’s important to check into what the newer equipment brings to the table.
If you find that your medical imaging equipment simply isn’t performing as well as other machinery that’s on the market, there’s a good chance it’s time for an upgrade. You may also notice that it isn’t as streamlined or user-friendly as newer models that are used in your industry.
By continuing to use outdated machinery, you put yourself at risk for paying for expensive maintenance and obsolete parts. It’s difficult to find the replacement pieces you need which may lead to an inability to replace those parts at all!
Rather than waiting until it’s impossible to keep up with your x-ray equipment repairs, purchase new equipment and give yourself an upgrade. You’ll be doing your practice and your patients a favor.
3. Your Machinery Has Run Out of Storage Space
A huge part of medical imaging equipment is its ability to store patient images. This allows you to pull up past images and to compare them side-by-side as well as to store patient files in your machinery.
Unlike many pieces of technology, it can be difficult to upgrade storage space on radiology equipment. This can leave you unable to serve patients and unable to continue capturing images and diagnosing diseases.
If your machinery is telling you that it’s low on or even completely out of storage space, it’s definitely time for an upgrade. Failure to upgrade your equipment can throw a wrench in patients’ appointments and make it impossible to continue offering treatment.
Don’t wait until the last second to upgrade radiology equipment due to storage issues. Take note of when your machinery begins alerting you to the need for more storage space so that you can upgrade your gear before it’s too late.
4. You’re Unable to Keep Up With Patient Demand
Not every indicator that you need an x-ray equipment upgrade is due to outdated materials. In fact, sometimes you need to get an upgrade simply to keep up with your patient demand.
For instance, when first starting out in the medical field you may not have had as many patients as you do now. It may have seemed counter-intuitive to purchase equipment that was designed to handle large patient volumes.
However, as you begin growing, your smaller and more basic machinery may simply not be able to meet the needs of your clients. You may find yourself struggling to serve all the patients that come into your practice.
In these situations, your medical equipment is most likely fully functioning and modern. However, it just isn’t working for your practice and is no longer practical from a scalability standpoint.
The good news is that if you find yourself in this position, your medical imaging equipment most likely still has quite a bit of resale value. This can help reduce the costs of your radiology upgrade and make it easier to get new imaging machinery.
Replace Your Radiology Equipment Sooner Rather Than Later
Radiology equipment is an integral part of most medical facilities. Failure to replace these pieces of machinery in a timely manner can lead to costly mistakes and incorrect diagnoses.
If you notice that your radiology equipment is exhibiting any of these issues, it’s certainly time for an upgrade. At Outpatient Supply, we offer professional radiology equipment that’s designed to last.
Check out our equipment and find the medical imaging machinery you need. Or, give us a call and we’ll help you place an order for the right radiology systems.