Refurbished Medical Systems at the Medica

Innovative solutions in “Proven Excellence” quality

At a modern production center, pre-owned medical systems – from x-ray, to computed tomography, to ultrasound – are refurbished, given the “Proven Excellence” quality seal, and then resold worldwide. Siemens Medical Solutions showcased this concept at the Medica 2005.

For more than five years, medical systems have been accepted for trade-in, refurbished, and resold. Most of these systems come from Siemens customers participating in upgrade programs. Customers include physicians in private practice as well as university hospitals with more than 1000 beds. Thanks to its wide range of system configuration capabilities as well as numerous service and financing offerings, RS can individually meet almost any customer requirement with its comprehensive portfolio – from ultrasound devices for routine diagnostics to biplanar cardiac cath labs for interventional diagnostics.

RS has established the “Proven Excellence” program worldwide to guarantee the highest quality for customers. Every pre-owned system has to undergo a five-point quality process: Selection, Deinstallation, Refurbishment, Installation, Warranty and Services.

The process steps in detail:

• Selection: RS only accepts trade-in on the best systems worldwide. They are chosen using strict selection criteria. For example, the software and hardware have to be able to be upgraded to the most current version.
• Deinstallation: After on-site inspection at the customer’s site, the system is professionally deinstalled by qualified service partners and delivered to one of the RS locations in original transport packaging.
• Refurbishment: After the system is cleaned, disinfected, and painted, all parts subject to wear and tear are replaced with original Siemens parts. Software and hardware is updated to the most recent version possible. Finally, the entire system is tested using the original test instructions for new systems and then subjected to a quality acceptance test. Only then does the system receive the “Proven Excellence” seal of quality.
• Installation: After transport, the system is reinstalled by our professional service partners and set into operation.
• Warranty: “Proven Excellence” systems typically have a 12 month warranty against defects, comparable to that for new systems. Spare parts are regularly available for at least five years after purchase.

The Internet is an important component in the marketing strategy of RS and serves as an additional sales and communications channel. The website www.siemens.com/refurbished contains information regarding the entire RS portfolio, the “Proven Excellence” process, and contact persons. It also contains trade-in offers for pre-owned medical products.

Siemens Medical Solutions is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. From imaging systems for diagnosis, to therapy equipment for treatment, to patient monitors to hearing instruments and beyond, Siemens innovations contribute to the health and well-being of people across the globe, while improving operational efficiencies and optimizing workflow in hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, and doctors’ offices. Employing approximately 33.000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 7.6 billion EUR, orders of 8.6 billion EUR and group profit of 1 billion EUR for fiscal 2005 (preliminary figures).