Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/215943
Executive Briefing: GI Technology Trends 24 Budget-Friendly Tips for Acquiring New Technology By Carrie Pallardy I t is no secret that healthcare is changing, but the full impact these changes will have on providers is still unknown. Surgery center leaders are constantly looking for ways to remain competitive in this changing market, and new technology is one way to attract patients. However, it can be an expensive proposition for surgery centers to stay on the cutting-edge in a time of declining reimbursement and financial pressure. gery centers face and budget-friendly tips for acquiring new technology in an age where every dollar counts. Tom Sakovits, Director of Financial Services, Endoscopy Division FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc., discusses the challenges sur- 1. Figure out where new technology fits into the budget. As the implementation of the Affordable Care Act grows nearer, healthcare providers will increasingly have to make the shift to high-quality, low-cost patient care. As this paradigm shift occurs, providers must also contend with a decrease in reimbursement and a rise in financial obligations. Fuji-1078 Financial-Service Ads 4.875x7.5, 9.12.13 _Layout 1 9/12/13 11:52 AM Page 2 DO YOU REALLY HAVE TO SPEND MORE TO GET MORE? "Financial pressure is not limited to reimbursement rates. Mandated investment in electronic medical records is expensive. Approximately 33 percent of capital dollars are being consumed by IT," he says. As a result, cost savings will now be one of the main drivers in provider strategy. Pay close attention to how new technology will fit into the ASC's budget before you begin exploring acquisition and financing opportunities. 2. Locate a vendor that understands an ASC's place within the healthcare market. New technology is in constant demand in healthcare. Equipment becomes out-dated or providers simply need additional technology to address patient needs. Even though this has not changed, the means of acquiring this technology has become a much greater concern. Not with Fujifilm. Whether it's new equipment, facility expansion, renovation or operating capital, we can create the solution. We provide state-of-the-art endoscopic technology and the financial solutions necessary for you to stay competitive for less. Fujifilm Financial Services allows you to unlock the potential of your current budget without breaking the bank. Affordable. Creative. Simple. 1.800.385.4666 • www.fujifilmendoscopy.com "Financial solutions used to be an afterthought, but now this is the first thought. You must have an economical way to acquire needed equipment," says Mr. Sakovits. "On the financial services side, the industry is transforming itself because it needs to." Surgery center leaders need to find a vendor that will better serve and support a cost-conscious strategy. Companies, such as Fujifilm, can provide practical financial strategies and solutions for equipment, as well as anything a surgery center may need from beds to a new space. 3. Build an individualized strategy. Though all surgery centers and providers are facing the challenges of the shifting healthcare environment, there is no one way to address these pressures. Surgery center leaders need to become savvier as the marketplace changes. "Capital is not as readily available," says Mr. Sakovits. "You can predict patient volumes, but not where funding will come from." When considering the acquisition of new technology, surgery center leaders need to understand that there is not a "one-size-fits-all" solution. They should find a technology company