Whether you are an EMS administrator or you work within a hospital setting, there comes a time when old equipment must be replaced. Different agencies will have different bureaucratic processes, but it usually comes down to cost. What do we need, and how much can we spend?
Pricing out the cost of new portable suction devices is no different. If you have a restricted budget, you want to get the most bang for your buck. But purchasing suction units is not a time to skimp.
A Vital Necessity
Portable suction units are fundamental to airway management, no matter the setting. EMS professionals must rely on portability because their patients can be anywhere, from cars to homes to football fields.
In the hospital, portable suction plays a vital role as well, for example, in cardiac arrest situations. Not all arrests take place in patient rooms. A patient may arrest during transport from one department to another, or a patient may arrive by car at the emergency room. In any of these situations, a portable suction unit will be a vital addition to the crash cart, so be sure to choose one that is powerful, reliable, and ready.
How Many Will You Need?
You know portable suction units are a critical part of your treatment regime. But how many units will you need? This will depend on the size of your organization. If you are a rural EMS agency, you’ll need units for each rescue, along with plenty of backups for replacement and mass-casualty situations.
In the hospital, size will also dictate. Hospitals range from small treatment facilities to massive, multi-acre centers. And because most patient rooms and treatment areas have wall-mounted suction, you’ll need to decide on the strategic locations for portable suction units throughout your facility.
Develop a Partnership
When pricing new portable suction equipment, it pays to partner with a company with a proven track record of quality service and products. Talk to other medical organizations and find out whom they use and if they are satisfied with their units.
Referrals and testimonials are a great way to research a company, so do your homework and choose a reliable partner, one that can provide continuous support once the units are in place.
Pricing new portable suction units is not the time to cut corners. There is nothing more imperative than clearing an airway, and no other device can take the place of an effective suction unit.
Editor's Note: This blog was originally published in January, 2017. It has been re-published with additional up to date content.
