Evaluating your ultrasound machine purchase

An ultrasound machine purchase requires careful consideration; it’s not always easy to buy the right equipment to handle the job at a price you can afford. Since the equipment can last 10 years or more, it’s important that you’re absolutely satisfied with your selection.

The first and perhaps most obvious thing to think about is how you plan to use the ultrasound machine in your practice. Make sure you have the right system based on your practice and the ailments you want to investigate. If you’re a general practitioner, for example, you’ll probably want equipment that’s equally reliable to check both fetus status and specific body organs. OB/GYNs should look for ultrasounds with components that enhance pregnancy exam results.

It’s also important to keep your budget in mind before you meet with an ultrasound machine dealer. While you may want a system with the latest features or four-dimensional rendering, that technology requires a significant investment. Typically, only large hospitals or practices that see hundreds of patients per week need the largest and best equipment. Standard ultrasound machines without many frills are more than sufficient for most small-to-medium sized practices.

It’s important not to restrict yourself to just one manufacturer. There are many reliable ultrasound machine manufacturers who offer quality equipment. Focus more on the features and image quality than the name on the side of the machine.

You should also make sure the equipment and software you choose is compatible with your office PC and software. Among the questions you should ask yourself:

• Will the software seamlessly communicate with my medical practice software, electronic medical record software (EMR), or picture archiving and communication system (PACS)?
• Does the ultrasound machine work with the operating system I use in my office? (Windows, Linux, Apple OS?)
• Can I perform diagnostic testing on the machine without contacting the vendor or manufacturer?
• Is the ultrasound machine DICOM compatible (digital imaging and communication in medicine)? DICOM compatibility allows you to securely centralize patient data to share with your colleagues.

Alternatives to purchasing new

If your practice is on a tight budget, two options can help you save money: buying refurbished ultrasound machines and leasing.

Buying refurbished equipment is a great way to save 20% to 50% off the price of a new machine. Dealers typically get pre-owned equipment from hospital trade-ins, expiring leases, and demo models from major distributors. They then clean the machines and replace any broken or worn parts so they work as good as new. After fixing the machines up, vendors can sell them at a discount.

When buying a pre-owned ultrasound machine, be careful to examine the machine thoroughly. You don’t want to buy anything with problems such as cracked transducer lenses, frayed cables, outdated software, or archaic peripherals. Poorly serviced or mis-calibrated ultrasound machines can cause injury to operators and patients and will cost you more money in the long run.

Some medical practices prefer to lease equipment like ultrasound machines when they don’t want to make a large up-front investment. When the lease expires, you can upgrade to a newer model or purchase the machine outright for a nominal fee. Whether you lease a brand-new machine or one coming off an expiring lease, you’ll be able to get the technology you need and keep cash on hand for other purchases.

While you don’t have to come up with the cash immediately, understand that you’ll pay more for the equipment in the long run. However, you can typically write off your leasing expenses on your taxes. Just make sure to consult with your accountant before making any tax decisions.