In today’s edition of the MedWrench blog I want to highlight my recent Q&A with Neil Davidson of ReNew Biomedical. Neil is the Director of Services at ReNew Biomedical in Jackson, TN, as well as the Vice President of the Mid-South Biomed Association. Neil started his career as a BMET with the US Army in 2006 at Darnall Army Medical Center in Fort Hood, TX, where he quickly earned the rank of SGT E-5. He deployed with the 484th Medical Logistics Unit in Afghanistan where he served as the senior medical maintenance NCO attached to the 30th Medical Command during Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as servicing field equipment in combat zones. After deployment, Neil returned to Fort Hood as a BMET II for the remainder of his Army career. After he got out of the Army, Neil was a Field Engineer for Kelly Services (Ortho Clinical Diagnostics), calibrating and repairing primarily Ortho Summit Processors, Verseias Pipetters, and Provue Analyzers before taking a position at Cookeville Regional Medical Center to service and maintain their facilities. In August of 2014, Neil moved his family to West Tennessee to start ReNew Biomedical with Justin Smith and Mark Taylor. During my conversation with Neil, we also discussed how to choose a third party vendor as well as some of the benefits of going the route of a third party. See below for some of Neil’s guidelines for choosing a third party.
Neil Davidson, Director of Services at ReNew Biomedical
Guidelines to choosing a third party
Most people choose to go with a third party biomed to save money for their company. There are many things to consider when entrusting your equipment recertification to a new vendor. Making sure you have certified, bonded biomedical technicians is key. A certified biomed will carry a CBET certification, usually listed after their name. Senior Techs work under a CBET as they gain experience and knowledge. The only difference in a CBET- certified third party vendor and the OEM is the price. They are just as qualified to repair and test equipment as the manufacturer.
Biomeds not only certify machines, they also calibrate and repair them. A good biomed will be able to handle a variety of machines as well as stock parts and source current software versions. A working relationship with the equipment’s original manufacturer is helpful. Know your clinical equipment needs- don’t be over or undersold on services. Ask if your provider is using up- to- date and calibrated test equipment.
Knowing what you are paying for up front is an important part of ensuring you will get the most bang for your buck. Make sure you know what the repair is before it’s authorized- sending a defibrillator in for a loose connection and ending up with a new system PCB board is a major hit to the budget. OEM’s also generally charge a large initial evaluation fee- third party biomed companies generally charge a much cheaper one.
Turnaround time is usually much shorter. Time is money, and you need your equipment back in working order as soon as possible. Third party vendors typically don’t have the service wait time manufacturers do.
For smaller clinics, in-site repair work is much less expensive and can be a case by case basis- no need for annually expensive contracts where you pay for work you don’t need. You aren’t a hospital or medical conglomerate, and you aren’t held to that financial standard to get your equipment serviced. When service contracts are required, they are cheaper as well.
ReNew Biomedical is the sister company of Master Medical Equipment, and houses thousands of parts for all types of electronic medical equipment. We service and repair most electronic medical equipment, and specialize in defibrillators, patient monitors, infusion pumps, ECGs, AED Certifications, and vent repair.
We service in- house what we sell. ReNew Biomedical offers free evaluations and service estimates- nothing is done without your prior approval and written estimate. Private labeling is available upon request, and electronic or printed reports are provided for all PM’s and repairs.
Other services offered are equipment PM tracking, same day turnaround AED certifications, on-site or depot service contracts, electrical safety testing, and in-depth repairs or rebuilds. ReNew carries contracts with EMS companies, walk-in clinics, hospitals, CBOCs, the VA, and private customers.
For more information, contact ReNew Biomedical at 844-425-0987 and talk to Neil, Scott, or Justin. You can also email service@renewbiomedical.com to enquire about services or go to www.renewbiomedical.com and click on our Service Request Form to get started!
