Whether you’re responsible for ordering supplies for a hospital, clinic, or private practice, there will come times when you will have to change medical equipment suppliers. Before you do order medical supplies from a new company, there are a few things you can do to verify the legitimacy of the company. These steps can help you get started in evaluating a new supplier.
Make Sure They Are FDA Approved
The first thing to consider is whether the supplier’s equipment meets the standards set out by government regulatory agencies, such as the FDA. If the equipment is manufactured in the United States, you’ll just need to verify that the minimum standards are being met. However, if the equipment is manufactured outside of the United States, you may have to be more diligent in your research. Typically, it’s just better to avoid dealing with suppliers that get their equipment from foreign countries.
Check With Your Peers
When you think you have narrowed down your choices, ask other doctors in the area if they have ordered from the same suppliers. If so, they can give you insight into any problems they have experienced with those suppliers. Additionally, they may recommend suppliers that have provided exceptional service.
Evaluated Their eCommerce Solutions
There are certain medical supplies you’ll need to keep stocked regularly, so ordering them should be a priority. Determine how easy it will be to place those orders and look to see that each item has a large quantity in stock. You won’t want to deal with a company that can’t keep your staple items in stock. The ease of the ordering process can help you determine if this is a good supplier for your healthcare facility.
