No we are not talking about your retirement, but have you planned for what you will do when it is time to retire your audiometric equipment? We all have our favorites that have served us well. Recently I saw numerous comments listed on a popular social media site mourning the passing of a colleague’s audiometer. In fact I was a bit surprised at how many comments there were regarding all of the long since discontinued models and the questions of what they would do if their equipment would need to be replaced. This leads me to ask you, “Are you prepared?”
Choosing the right equipment for your needs is more involved today that it was 5, 10, and most certainly 15 or more years ago. With the move into EMR (Electronic Medical Records) and all of the HIPPA regulations, the ability to call and say “please send over a quote for an audiometer” is a thing of the past. Or at least it should be. Most likely you are so busy taking care of your patients that you don’t realize there are so many possibilities now. Audiometric testing has expanded over the years and so has the equipment.
Why not make an appointment to have a consultation with your local e3 Diagnostics Distributor? Take the time now to prepare for your future. Discuss exactly what you like and don’t like about your current equipment. Discuss what testing you are doing and what you would like to provide to your patients. What are your EMR needs? Do you want PC based or do you like the traditional knobs but still need to transfer the data? Do you need portability? Think about the stability and growth of your business. So much has changed and you want to be satisfied with your choices.
After your meeting, take this time to have them evaluate the condition of your equipment. Gather information on the current equipment that you are interested in, and formulate a replacement plan. Taking the time now can help you be more fiscally responsible, plan ahead and also avoid rush decisions. Having multiple pieces of equipment needing to be replaced when it has not been budgeted can be avoided.
Another reason to have a plan in place is how long it takes to replace non-working equipment. From the time you contact us, determine that the equipment cannot be repaired or would be too costly, look at your options, get approval and order, delivery time, schedule installation, then training, can sometimes be a matter of weeks. How much revenue will you have lost in the meantime? Can you afford that? Can you afford to make a quick decision and then decide that you wanted to expand what you provide to your patients? Just as in life, a good retirement plan can give you peace of mind.
Of course there is the obvious question “How am I going to pay for this?” If you have planned ahead, you may be able to just pay it off. If you want to expand your business, you may choose other options, which include financing through one of the plans that the Hearing Aid Manufacturers offer. Or you can research leasing options. Make sure to take advantage of the tax benefits that are available to your practice.
Just as you want your patients to be satisfied with the service you provide them with daily, the e3 Diagnostics network of distributor’s shares that goal. We are your Audiometric Consultants and Advisors. Please take the time to contact us and map out that Retirement Plan so that you are prepared for your Equipment Future.
About the Author
Kristin Wysmierski M.A. Audiologist received her undergraduate degree from University of Pittsburgh and her Master’s Degree in Audiology from Kent State University. Kristin practiced Audiology for 8 years, and worked for a Hearing Aid Manufacturer representing Ohio before coming to e3 Gordon Stowe. Kristin has been with e3 Gordon Stowe for 15 years, covering Northeast Ohio, and starting in 2012, Western PA.