Choosing how to configure to suit the needs of use and the investment capacity of each unit is not a simple matter. This is also the most important step for suppliers and manufacturers to take advantage of configuration settings to monopolize and manipulate the selling price. So to invest effectively, we need to distinguish the concepts:
1. Configuration and specifications
These are the factors that determine the price of the product.
Standard configuration: is the most basic configuration so that the system of machinery and equipment can operate with common functions according to the correct features and design, often meeting basic requirements.
Optional configuration (option): It is the parts, accessories, equipment that come with the main machine. For example, the number of transducers in the ultrasound machine, the pressure pump in the CT-sanner... These are mostly functions, optional parts added to the standard configuration to fulfill some of the higher requirements of expertise. , expand the application range, increase the response speed...
The accompanying equipment is often required to support the main machine or protect the main machine, so it is often required to buy it. However, choosing the right type depends on your needs. In addition, it can be combined with existing systems and equipment of the unit to reduce investment costs such as: using old printers, old pressure pumps, sharing electricity with other equipment...
Specifications: These are the specifications that speak to the quality, strength and weakness of the device's hardware and software. To avoid being set by the consulting unit, we need to pay attention
- Basic specifications, necessary:
As the main parameters, the most important according to the needs of use. These characteristics are met by almost all manufacturers, and are also the main criteria for equipment classification. When investing in shopping, we mainly pay attention to these features.
For example, for normal diagnostic ultrasound, just use a black and white 2D machine, basic echocardiography needs a color Doppler machine, when specialized echocardiography needs CW software...
- Specifications rarely used (sometimes redundant):
This is the main factor for manufacturers to install specifications and competitors. Units need to analyze these different parameters to do what, is it really necessary, and is it economically viable. Many times, investors also draw configurations to match the project money provided. The situation of many units with redundant equipment, or not using all features is quite common.
For example, the 4D feature does not require a general ultrasound, the elastography of the district gland is not necessary. Full-body scanning software in CT-canner does not need to be at district level, increasing the number of filters with unused wavelengths in biochemistry machines to install tender images...
-> Choose configurations and specifications according to usage needs and investment capabilities.
2. Demand for use and ability to exploit
Constituting the selling price of a product depends on many factors: manufacturer, origin, model, configuration, option, exclusivity... Meanwhile, the buying psychology of investors, especially doctors, uses want to be the most modern equipment, latest technology. However, it is necessary to answer the question "for what, what is the ability to do"
So in order to invest effectively, it must first take into account:
- Demand for short-term use (1-2 years), medium-term (3-5 years), and should not worry about long-term because after 5 years there will be other more advanced models or technologies.
- Ability to exploit
- The human factor is very important, whether the level of personnel can really exploit the features of the device. That is not to mention the basic features have been fully exploited by doctors or not.
- In addition, must consider whether "other technical services" are available to serve the patient afterwards. For example: CT-canner at the district level but cannot do cranial surgery, angiography but no vascular intervention...
In short, the investment must be synchronous, in many aspects. Sometimes high-end machines (CT-scanner, digital X-ray…) just increase the brand to attract patients. It is unlikely to be effective if specialized techniques to deal with it are not available. If planned out, high-tech equipment such as MRI, CT-canner, angiography ... investment efficiency is very low if the number of patients is small or the exploitation is poor.
- In addition, it must also be mentioned that the list of techniques regulated by health insurance is limited, many units have the ability to exploit more high-tech services but cannot. This is the existence of the mechanism of decentralization of treatment routes of our country's health system.
3. Ability to invest, effective planning
No matter how strong the financial potential is, investors also need to consider many factors to calculate its effectiveness. In fact, most investors do not calculate closely or fully the costs for investment and maintenance. Especially with medical devices, every 3-5 years each company will have a new model or new technology integrated on the old model (version), leading to fast equipment becoming obsolete.
What factors should investors consider?
- Initial investment costs and maintenance costs
- Initial investment cost: this asset is normally depreciated 07 - 15 years. However, after 5 years, the equipment has been operating poorly, and maintenance costs have increased gradually. And it's almost rare for a product to work well after 10 years.
- Maintenance fee for the equipment itself: is the maintenance, maintenance and repair fees. If you do not maintain and operate according to the recommendations of NSX, the units will have to pay this huge cost. On average, each year after the warranty, the cost is about 5-10% of the equipment value at the same time.
For example, replacing the bulb of a 16-row CT-scanner can cost up to 2 billion won
- Operating costs
- The cost of personnel, electricity and water and other factors to use the equipment, the cost of personnel accounts for the highest proportion of the costs of the equipment.
- Cost of consumable materials and chemicals used when operating equipment, which can be used for diagnosis and treatment, sometimes used for maintenance and machine maintenance (testing machines)
- Interest expense: This is the interest fee for the initial investment. If you don't accumulate profits to pay off debt gradually to reduce debt, or pay late, the amount of interest is very significant.
