C arm service contracts

[nvrsumr]

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I am going to be purchasing a new C arm in the next week or so for an office fluoro suite. Looking at Ziehm Quantum, Phillips Pulsera and OEC 9900. These service contracts substantially add to the overall cost and I was wondering if I should buy one now, later, or just hope and pay for parts and labor if something falls apart. Thoughts in general or for particular machines.

I have a very tight room and want DSA and basics such as a USB port so each of the machines has something to offer.

As an aside other than CTFESI for what other procedures are you using DSA. Is sampling at 30 frames per second any better than 8 in clinical practice?

 

[Tenesma]

sampling is good for questionable intra-vascular uptake

service contracts are worth it based on the cost of the equipment AND the cost to your practice if that equipment goes down...

when i used to own an OEC - the contract stated that if the machine couldn't be fixed within 48 hours then they would supply me with a loaner machine....

you'd hate to have a machine, it goes down, and then you can't book procedure for 3 weeks while you scrounge around for parts

now that being said, not all service contracts are equal - so make sure you understand what you are buying...

i hate my current machine - and the contract it came with...

 

[mondocomputerma]

In my experience, there have been many instances where 1 or 2 service calls paid for the contract. Of course that is if something expensive goes out.

 

[Doctodd]

depends on how busy you are.......you have to do the math and know if your patients are flexible for a couple of days. My OEC8800 has had the up/down go out due to a power supply twice in the 3 or so years i have had it. This is a well known problem for OEC's. Total repair was about $300 for the hardware and $500 for the labor and it took only a couple minutes to replace. Tech guy who was a previous OEC tech charges a minimum. It took longer to wait for the part which was about a week. I could still do procedures but just couldnt go up/down with the fluoro.

I personally dont have the volume where im doing more than 5 procedures every day so i dont like the service contract for my situation.

 

[mondocomputerma]

The problem for the lift not going up and down is now covered by a recall. Just call it in to GE OEC the next time you are having problems and a tech will come out and replace it with no charge.

 

[PMR 4 MSK]

The problem for the lift not going up and down is now covered by a recall. Just call it in to GE OEC the next time you are having problems and a tech will come out and replace it with no charge.

Yes, but the parts used to replace it have the same problem. They need a fix for the problem. Ours usually takes pushing the up or down button several times before it will move. We're told all has been done that can be done.

Good system, other than I wish it had flat screens - 'course ours is 4 years old now, newer models or higher ups likely have flat screens.

 

[Doctodd]

I did have the recall at that time but they said it wasnt covered.

T

 

[PMR 4 MSK]

I did have the recall at that time but they said it wasnt covered.

T

Amazing how that happens, isn't it... 🙄

Mine drifts in the lateral/AP rotation unless locked, other directions it holds. One guy who was doing an in-service for the nurses said it needs to be fixed, repair lady said that it was not something that could be fixed, sort of a "That's not a bug, its a feature!"

 

[mondocomputerma]

"Yes, but the parts used to replace it have the same problem. They need a fix for the problem. Ours usually takes pushing the up or down button several times before it will move. We're told all has been done that can be done."

I know, even on the newer power supplies for the lift columns you have to "initialize" the supply by pressing one of the buttons once, waiting 5 seconds, then it works (albeit after a short delay) Engineering says it is a "design feature", after we pointed out the quirks it had right after it came out. It is a new part, you can see the torroidal transformer through a cut out on the side. The new supply has a larger relay, as the old one was too small and the contacts welded closed.

Enough with the technical talk...

I know that we didn't offer a free fix for the problem until after we came out with the new supply, even though it was part of a recall. At least the new supply is finally a true fix for the problem and not a work-around.

As far as the drifting problem, I guess some repair technicians are better than others. If the c-orbital rotation drifts, the friction bearing may need to be replaced. The super-c used for pain management is meant to be used without having to use the brake to hold it. The regular c needs the brake engaged to keep it from drifting.