How to ensure you are purchasing the best surgical supplies
Surgical supplies play a critical role in all healthcare environments. No matter what procedure a doctor may be performing, whether it be life-saving or something more routine, having the correct supplies on hand is essential in ensuring that the surgery is completed safely and easily.
There are many companies out there that can provide medical surgical supplies, but at Paragon Care we can guarantee that we offer supplies of the highest quality. How can you determine if the supplies you purchase are some of the best on the market? Read on to learn more!
Quality
Saying that the quality of your surgical supplies has a direct impact on the quality of patient care provided is an understatement. Supplies or equipment that breaks or does not perform its designated function correctly will only result in accidents during procedures, affecting both the ease of completing surgery for the operating team and the quality of service for the patients.
Discerning the quality of supplies can be difficult, particularly if you’ve never used a particular brand or product before. It’s highly recommended to do some online research by checking other buyer reviews, and by speaking with colleagues in your field who may have a recommended brand. It’s always wise to partner with a supplier that you have confidence in and have used before or heard good things about.
Regulatory approval
Any supplies that you plan on purchasing need to meet TGA or Therapeutic Goods Administration standards. This organisation is responsible for protecting the safety of both patients and clinicians, and they will assess and approve supplies before they can be used in an operating room.
All surgical supplies — in fact, all medical equipment — must be approved by the TGA before they can be manufactured, marketed, sold, and used in Australia. If the supplies you intend to purchase are not on their Register, it’s best to steer clear. Shopping through an experienced and industry-recognised supplier is a good way to ensure that the supplies you are purchasing have been approved by the TGA and are safe for use.
Accessibility
The Covid-19 pandemic has made it clear just how critical supply chains are. The current world climate makes it hard to know when the accessibility of healthcare supplies is going to be affected and finding a way to mitigate this could be essential. You may find that some suppliers, even at the best of times, may have difficulty meeting your demand, or providing your supplies promptly. Knowing that you are always going to have the necessary equipment on hand is critical in the medical industry, so that makes this factor particularly important to consider when purchasing consumable supplies, which by nature, are likely to run out quickly and require constant restocking.
Before purchasing these products, consult with the supplier to ask how robust their supply chain is and how often they restock. Also, ask them how they handle supply and demand during critical periods to get an understanding of how much you should buy in bulk to ensure you have enough to last should there be a shortage.
Environmental impact
Being environmentally conscious is a big concern for many people and companies these days as our climate continues to change and it’s important to try and make positive changes wherever possible. All industries have a role to play in this, including healthcare.
So when you are shopping for your medical surgical supplies, even though it can be difficult, try to put some effort into looking for environmentally-friendly products. Try to think carefully about the materials that are being used to make your supplies and the overall environmental footprint created through the manufacture, transportation, and disposal of products. As most surgical products do need to be disposed of after use for hygienic reasons, it can be hard to reduce your waste in the medical industry, but every bit counts.
Service and support
Purchasing medical equipment is much more than a once-off transaction. For equipment that will be used multiple times, it is going to need ongoing maintenance and repairs to ensure that you are always able to supply the highest-quality patient care. So when you are purchasing equipment, make sure to consider the entire life cycle of the product, including repairs and maintenance throughout its life. The cost and availability of maintenance, repair, and service need to be a factor in your decision-making process.
A good supplier like Paragon Care will have a dedicated service and technology team ready to supply medical equipment services, including ongoing repair as you continue using your products. Partnering with a trustworthy supplier means that you can turn your full attention to the health and well-being of your patients, rather than spending time worrying about the accuracy and performance of equipment.
Many other factors will impact your final choice of supplier when looking to purchase medical surgical supplies so if you have any other questions about what exactly we can offer you, get in contact with Paragon Care’s friendly team to learn more about our products and how we can support you.