When it comes to deciding whether or not to purchase an endoscope service agreement there are many factors to consider. Some of those are simple, like the cost of the service agreement itself or just using alternative solutions for maintenance. But others don't always come to mind so quickly so we thought it would be helpful to outline a few considerations for you to make an informed decision

Cost of Repairs Without an Agreement

It's important to try to understand what repairs you might be facing. I.e. what are the most common failures of the medical device you have purchased. This typically will take some research but might be well worth a little time spent. And once you figured these out you will want to consider the frequency of use as that will affect the likelihood of any of these repairs being necessary.
Because we don't know which endoscope you've purchased, we've compiled a general overview of some of the most common issues reported below.

Endoscopes are delicate and extremely sophisticated medical devices. The optical systems can be a typical issue that might need repair. For instance, the lens, light source or camera which can all affect the image quality and might be a problem. You may not need repairs in this regard but cleaning or realignment might be necessary in which case this maintenance repair would probably be covered by an endoscope service agreement.

Some other issues you might encounter are:

• Insertion tube damage: The insertion tube is a flexible part of the endoscope that might eventually show signs of wear and tear. The section that bends can sometimes kink or tear.
  
  
• light guide cable issues: The light guide cable provides light to illuminate the area being examined. The cables that guide the light are something that need to be replaced from time to time.
  
  
• Bending section issues: If the bending section becomes stiff or non-responsive it makes it difficult to navigate curves.
  
  
• Fiber optic issues: Fiber optics may be used to transmit images. Damage or broken fiber optics can impact this necessary feature and need to be repaired.
  
  
• Connection or interface issues: The endoscope and external devices like monitors and recording systems must maintain connections.
  
  
• Leakage or fluid infusion: Endoscopes often are used in environments that are fluid-filled. If these fluids enter the endoscope through malfunctioning seals repairs will be necessary.
  
  
• Control handle or angulation issues: Issues with buttons or switches could impede control and movement of the endoscope by the operator. Repairs or replacement of these items may be necessary.
  
  
• Video system issues: Endoscopes use a camera, cables and or monitor. Diagnosis and repair may be necessary with the video system.
  
  
• Power supply issues: Battery problems and a multitude of electrical issues can affect the functionality of endoscopes. Replacement of these components or service may at some point be necessary.

While the list above is by no means a comprehensive list of things that could go wrong, it's probably enough for you to understand that there are many things that can happen that regular maintenance may spare you from. And having a maintenance agreement in place typically encourages and helps company's stay on top of their medical equipment maintenance without giving it a second thought saving money in the long run.

Here's some additional things to consider:

Cost of Repairs without a Maintenance Agreement

As shared in the previous section there are quite a few things that can go wrong with endoscopes. Having a maintenance agreement is part of a longer-term strategy which attempts to mitigate high repair and replacement costs through proper maintenance and having trained technicians making sure your equipment stays in good working order with minimal, if any downtime. As mentioned, the frequency of use comes into play with regards to this topic as well so keep that in mind. If your frequency of use is high having a maintenance agreement typically makes even more sense.

Manufacturer's Warranty

New endoscopes typically come with a manufacturer's warranty. It's important to consider the duration and details of the coverage itself. If the warranty covers all repairs for a specific period of time you might be able to put off getting a maintenance contract until the expiration of the warranty. Logging that date today in your calendar with a notification about 2-6 months prior to expiration would be wise so you have time to get a maintenance contract in place before the expiration of the warranty. Be sure to check the warranty's specific guidelines and rules however as some maintenance by you may be required to keep the warranty in place.

Frequency of Use

It may go without saying, but endoscopes that are heavily used may have a higher risk of wear and tear. For these situations, maintenance agreements make good sense. In the case of low use, they may make less sense to obtain.

Type of Endoscope

There's a number of different types of endoscopes and each has varying degrees of complexity. Specialized endoscopes that have a higher susceptibility to damage may benefit from a service contract more than simpler versions.

Service Agreement Coverages

Not all service agreements are equal. Be sure to carefully review what your service agreement includes. It may include regular maintenance, repairs and replacement of specific parts but not others. You'll want to make sure that coverage covers the most likely issues that you may encounter with your endoscope.

Reputation of Service Agreement Provider

It's highly recommended to spend a little time researching the reputation of the Service Agreement Provider. Read reviews and testimonials on multiple web sites to get a good idea of what you can expect with regards to customer service and how responsive the provider is.

Alternative Maintenance Options

 As suggested above, it might make sense to talk with third-party repair providers and find out about the typical costs of doing the most common repairs on your specific endoscope during the service period you are considering. They may be able to share with you their experiences with your same model and give you a good idea of what to expect. With that knowledge and knowing your anticipated frequency of use you might be able to do some projected cost comparisons.

Maintenance Budgets

Budget constraints can of course be a factor to consider. Service Agreement funds will need to be allocated and must fit into your overall maintenance and operative budget. This bucket is sometimes overlooked as a requirement in the budget and can easily affect your ability to stay within budget constraints if something were to go wrong.

Equipment Life Expectancy

How long do you expect your endoscope to last? Will it be upgraded or repaired when that time comes. These are additional factors that should be considered especially if you plan on keeping the unit for an extended period of time. And if not, it still may make sense because selling a used well-maintained unit with all maintenance records could make the sale go easier and help with its resale value.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is it's not easy to project these costs as there are so many variables. But it is possible to make an informed decision if you're willing to spend a little time investigating the items above. It's this writer's opinion that having a maintenance agreement makes sense in most cases as it may mitigate some of these variables and assist your office with having well maintained equipment. Well maintained equipment decreases safety risks for your patients which is not a line item on the budget but trumps all with regards to value to your business of course.