Future bright for refurbished defibrillators


Because cost-effective defibrillators are in demand, the refurbished defibrillator market is robust. DOTmed.com has hundreds of refurbished units offered for sale or on auction by an array of reputable users.

Shannon Moore, CEO of STAT Biomedical Sales and Rentals, Inc., Shannon says his Lubbock, TX company can save a client over half of what it would normally cost to purchase a new biphasic defibrillator. "Our refurbishing division has seen steady growth," Moore says. "When we refurbish a defibrillator, it goes through a 20 point process. It is tested, calibrated and inspected to the original manufacturer's specifications." STAT Biomedical is also equipped to deal with recalls. Their computerized system alerts them of a recall, which is forwarded to their customers. Moore says that if they can make the repairs on the recall they will. If not, they will recommend that the client return it to the authorized dealer for replacement.




Scott Patneaude, President, ACE Medical Equipment, Inc., Clearwater, FL says his company is not concerned with recall issues because the defibrillators they refurbish are older models that have been around five years or more. "By buying a refurbished defibrillator, a company can save up to 40 to 60 percent," he says. "Our defibrillators all come with a one year warranty, and we never sell what we can't service."

David Ogren, President, OMED Of Nevada, Reno, sells many defibrillators on DOTmed. He believes that refurbished defibrillator sales will continue to grow because they are readily available as used equipment from hospitals. "The mono-phasic, older models will go to international emerging health care programs and bi-phasic models will sell in the US and more progressive international markets," says Ogren. "When technology changes, the leading edge buyers step up."

Automated External Defibrillators (AED) helping to revive 'defib' market

Recent technology has made it possible to save lives by using a portable Automated External Defibrillator (AED). These simplified electronic machines are used with a minimal amount of training to treat a person who is suffering from cardiac arrest. An AED guides a user by audible or visual instructions, and its timely initiation is key to what is called "the chain of survival," which also includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). According to the American Heart Association, 20,000 lives or more can be saved each year by immediate use of an AED and with wide distribution, among trained responders, as many as 50,000 deaths can be avoided.

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