It can cost over $182,000 to fully equip and staff an ambulance. That doesn’t include the cost of the vehicle, gas, and maintenance costs. It’s no wonder that proactive measures must be taken to keep EMS medical equipment in good condition. With budget constraints, inflation, and the wear and tear that EMS equipment is subjected to, it can be a difficult choice between repairing or replacing EMS equipment.

The first consideration is always contamination. Bodily fluids, such as blood, vomit, and urine, are classified as hazardous materials. When they coat or come into contact with a piece of EMS equipment, it must be evaluated carefully. If the material can be completely cleaned off of the unit and it can be sanitized, then it can remain in use. The problem occurs when the fluids seep inside the unit into the electronic controls and circuits, which cannot be cleaned. In that situation, the equipment must be marked as hazardous and disposed of to prevent the spread of disease.

In general, ambulance services are owned by private companies and have the same financial responsibilities as any other company. The difference is that ambulance services are intended to save lives, so decisions between making EMS equipment repairs and buying new equipment are imperative. Medical device manufacturers have the primary duty of setting a lifespan for each piece of equipment, which ambulance companies should keep meticulous records of. Nonetheless, there are times when EMS equipment malfunctions or incurs damage that affects the intended lifespan.

Factors that ambulance companies may consider include:

• The cost of repair vs. the cost of replacement– Budgets may allow for repair more readily than for replacement.
• The age of the equipment – If the EMS equipment will need to be replaced in the near future because the expected lifespan is approaching, it may be better to replace it now rather than repairing it just to replace it later.
• The warranty has expired – It may be possible to seek an extended warranty, but the safest option would be to replace the unit.

Another recourse for ambulance companies is to consider buying refurbished or used emergency medical equipment through reputable companies like Coast Biomedical Equipment that offer affordable new, used, and refurbished EMS equipment with warranties. If you have questions about repairing or replacing a piece of EMS equipment, they can provide expert guidance.