This article is from in the August 2007 issue of DOTmed Business News. A list of registered users that provide sales & service can be found at the end.

Operating room tables have come a long way since the "Perfection Physician's Chair," that served as an examining chair, but also could be converted into a surgical table or the first operating table made of steel produced by MAQUET in 1889 or the 1940's AMSCO 1065 tables. As a matter of fact, Bob Mighell, President of World Medical Equipment is the proud owner of that 1940's beauty (see photo). Bob has a great motto, "The equipment You Need for the Procedures You Perform at a Price You Can Afford." He says, "Regardless of the age, we take all of the tables we own down to their component parts and rebuild them from the ground up."

Tony Asbille, president of Global Star specializes in Durabuilt surgical tables and has been selling nationwide for seven years. He commented that the designs of operating room tables that were made 10 years ago have become antiquated and new technology like carbon fiber has allowed design changes in operating room tables that were not possible 10 years ago - including the design that allows for better C-Arm (surgical imaging system) access. These tables are the focal point of complete operating room systems that can help reduce the time a patient spends in the OR and in the hospital following surgery.

Different Tables for Different Procedures
Today, there are multipurpose operating room tables that can accommodate different surgical procedures. There are OR tables designed specifically for obese patients. Gregg Oggel of Green Cross Medical in Ventura sells new and used OR table, including the AMSCO 3085SP table, which is a bariactric table that the company recommends for obese people. It holds up to 1000 pounds.

Tim Martin, president of Martin Medical Equipment Service commented that these days most OEMs are improving the weight capacity of their general surgical tables to support patients up to 1000 pounds. Dave Leng has a new company, HEAL, in the South Pacific. Leng pointed out that the people of the Pacific are very large and width extenders are an important accessory to the tables that they sell.

Jayra Andrade of Soma Technology, Inc commented that the differences in OR tables is mainly in the accessories used for proper patient positioning for specific procedures. "However, there are different tables for different types of surgical procedures" says Andrade."For example, there are tables that are specific for orthopedics, imagining, pain management and urology procedures." Soma Technology, Inc. refurbishes and sells all major manufacturers' brands of operating room tables including Steris, Amsco, Skytron, Getinge, Maquet and Shampaine. "The most popular brands we sell are Skytron and Steris," states Andrade. "All tables are completely refurbished according to the original manufacturers' specifications by highly skilled engineers." Andrade went on to say that Soma also sells new c-arm/pain management tables and is able to supply parts for all models available in stock.




STERIS Corporation develops and creates products that are used around the world to prevent infection and contamination in critical environments including operating rooms. They offer a line of surgical tables like the Cmax table that accommodates a wide variety of surgical positions - sitting, shoulder arthroscopy, park-bench, supine, lateral, urology and gynecology and knee-chest. According to the people at STERIS, you will receive immediate support for your surgical table questions, technical concerns, and any other information about the brand name tables they offer.

What To Consider When Purchasing An OR Table
The first consideration when purchasing an operating table should be whether or not it is appropriate to the type of surgeries being performed at the facility. The trend in many operating rooms is incorporating a selection of interchangeable tabletops that can be secured to a fixed or mobile base. New technology features a float top that allows a surgeon to position the tabletop in relation to the C-arm instead of having the C-arm positioned in relation to the table. The float top feature allows the table to move in any direction.

According to some of the company owners we talked to there are basic things to look for when purchasing a surgical table including how sturdy the table is, how comfortable it is, is it compatible with C-arms and X-ray machines and is it compatible with the accessories you already have? Most also agree that electric tables are the way to go because they are easy to operate and provide exceptional positioning. If the OR table is going to be moved from one room to another, it should also be motorized, as they are obviously more easy to move. Kurt Wehrmann, President of Northern Scientific sells many Skytron surgical tables. "The Skyrton's 6600 series is a general purpose table that provides excellent upper and lower body imaging, urology, shoulder arthroscopy, bariatric capabilities and more. It includes a 1000 pound lift and 600 pound articulation capacity and exceptional imaging with removable back and leg sections, explains Wehrmann. He goes on to say that a more basic model -- the Skytron 6000 is also available. "The 6000 and 6001 tables have C-arm interface capabilities, pendant control, 400 and 500 pound life capacity, 180 degree table top rotation, X-ray top set option and a manual kidney lift," explains Wehrmann.

If the model you are purchasing is basic, make sure the manufacturer has the accessories you need to customize the table. All tables should come with a height-adjustable four section articulating top, full side-rails and a head or foot extension. Armboards, side-rail clamps and Clark sockets are also must have accessories.

As an example, Blue Horizon Medical Services owned by Crystal Leroy has a line of replacement hand control and remote accessories for OR tables. Scott Leroy is Blue Horizon's Chief Technician and says, "The hand controls or remotes that we carry are direct replacements, so there is less to worry about than with other replacement options. They look very much like the original with a more comfortable and easy to hold unit." Blue Horizon also guarantees that the table you purchase from them will be safe and in perfect working condition. "If a table is refurbished properly everything that moves or is hydraulic needs to be replaced," says Crystal. "That includes seals, o-rings, feet, chrome, pumps, springs, rubber parts, gears, hydraulic systems, and the list goes on and on."




Strong Market For Used and Refurbished OR Tables -Buyers Beware
With dwindling reimbursements and mounting operational expenses, ambulatory surgical centers and hospitals are looking for ways to save money. Wendy Sitcer, Marketing Manager for Medrecon, Inc. and Jim Kleyman, President of Ace Medical Equipment, Inc. are two companies that take "refurbished" medical equipment very seriously, because they both feel that there are many companies in the industry that don't. Medrecon offers OR table rebuilding and exchange. In other words, instead of spending money on a new table, a company can have Medrecon ship a company a completely rebuilt OR table, the same model the company owns - The company trades their table for a newly rebuilt one. "Medrecon offers cost conscious hospitals and surgery centers the true alternative to buying new operating room tables by rebuilding their current tables," says Sitcer.

President Kleyman of Ace has a motto, "If we can't fix it, we won't sell it." Kleyman feels that when anyone is buying complex medical equipment like an OR table, they should ask certain questions. "Ask if the company has product liability insurance and if any claims have been filed against them," says Kleyman. "Too many companies in the business say a product is refurbished when, in fact, it is not." Kleyman went on to say that there are a lot of critical steps that must be taken to properly rebuilt an OR table, and many companies just don't have the expertise to do it right. "It's a real problem in our industry," says Kleyman.

On the other hand, Mitchell Guier, President of North American Medical sells used equipment that is not refurbished or refinished. "My company is a medical equipment liquidator. We look for quality used medical equipment that is in excellent condition, and we sell it," says Guier. "The bottom line is whether an operating room has been refurbished or not, if it has been properly maintained and has had regular preventive maintenance, it should last a good eight to ten years."

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DOTmed Registered OR Room Tables Sales & Service Companies

Domestic
Jim Kleyman, ACE Medical Equipment, Inc., FL
DOTmed Certified
Gus Antus, Ampro International, Ltd, AZ
DOTmed Certified
Crystal Leroy, Blue Horizon Medical, FL
DOTmed Certified
Kevin Blaser, Coast To Coast Medical, MA
Tony Asbille, Global Star, AR
Greg Oggel, Green Cross Medical, CA
Tim Martin, Martin Medical Equipment Service Co., NY
Wendy Sitcer, Medrecon, Inc., NJ
Serafin Perez, Medicall Universe, Inc., FL
Mitchell Guier, North American Medical, MO
DOTmed Certified
Kurt Wehrmann, Northern Scientific, Inc., MN
DOTmed Certified
Lewis Fitzpatrick, Preventive Maintenance Medical Inc., OH
Jayra Andrade, Soma Technology, Inc., CT
David Eagan, Texoma Medical, Inc., TX
Bob Mighell, World Medical Equipment, WA
DOTmed Certified

International
Mohsen Razmi, Damavand Abzar Co., Ltd., Iran
Dave Leng, HEAL, Western Samoa

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