Christopher Cone, President, Echoserve, Golden, Colo., noted "We repair all the parts, which allows us to have a better cost position in general than the dealers that are just buying systems and parting them out." The company focuses on ultrasound and mammography and is particularly strong in ultrasound transducers (probes). "You need a pretty broad engineering capability -- mechanical, electrical, acoustics -- a number of different engineering disciplines in order to be successful on a large scale repairing ultrasound probes," he said.

Superior technical support is a key competency to look for in a parts supplier. "In-house engineers need a product that is tested, they need help with troubleshooting, and they need to have the parts on the shelf or in hand to deliver within a certain timeframe," said Akram Abdelaal of Express Systems & Parts Network Inc., Aurora, Ohio. "Everybody out there is trying to develop a parts business and treat parts as a commodity. We are selling the parts because we understand the need of the in-house engineer." His company taps other parts suppliers that they have carefully vetted to develop a network of sources for reliable parts.





Parts companies, even those that do maintain an inventory, may or may not test the parts, so you'll want to ask for proof that the part is in working order, and get a warranty.

"My advice to hospitals would be look for a reputable company that stands behind the parts and someone with documented procedures on how the parts are tested," suggested Todd Jones, Director of Technical Operations, Ambassador Medical, Carmel, Ind., a company that specializes in ultrasound.

Third Party Suppliers Shine in Used Market

Many companies have significant technical expertise and are able to refurbish parts. Some parts companies are huge operations. ReMedPar is the world's largest independent provider of replacement parts for diagnostic imaging equipment including X-ray (R/F), mammo/portables/C-arms, CT scanners, and MRI, and they are also entering the ultrasound market. The company is the supplier to suppliers, providing parts to in-house hospital engineers and ISOs.

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