Table of Contents
When you start a new clinic, you need to budget for a large number of expenses you’ll have. It would be best if you considered your staff needs, building location, furnishings, and most importantly, you’re stock supplies. Most doctors think about the first three items but rarely view all of the supplies they need to have on hand. Here is a basic overview of the primary supplies a medical office needs.
Basic Diagnostic Equipment
The most basic of medical supplies are your basic diagnostic equipment which includes many various things. However, just a few are mentioned below. This list is neither comprehensive nor mandatory, they are only examples and suggestions. They are listed below:
- Thermometers
- Blood test kits
- Blood pressure monitors
- Stethoscopes
- Reflex hammers
- Other equipment depending on your specialty
Remember that you’ll also need other procedures and examination tables where your patients can sit or lie during the process. Special lighting in these examination rooms is also vital for your ability to consult and examine patients. Get comfortable beds in the exam rooms, it will help all of your patients feel much more at ease during their visit. Find quality examination tables that last for a long time also. Be sure the ones you decide upon can bear the weight of obese patients, just in case. You will most definitely come across these sort of patients so such an expenditure will be well worth it.
Procedure Examination Supplies
At some point, you’re going to need to conduct minor procedures, so you need cleaning and dressing supplies such as adhesive bandages and antiseptic wipes, hypodermic needles, and so on. Keep in mind that examinations also require supplies such as nitrile gloves, face masks, and personal sanitation supplies for medical staff to keep people and equipment sanitized and clean. Personal protective equipment and sanitation is paramount in a health clinic, so be sure to always be on the lookout for ways to improve.
Keep all of these medical supplies in a hygienic location and make sure they remain sealed until they are used.
Emergency Supplies
Even a routine doctor’s appointment can turn into a medical emergency and require your medical assistance; therefore, it’s essential to have emergency medical equipment available when needed. It would help if you had the following supplies for these situations:
- An aspirator
- A trauma board
- Oxygen canisters on masks
- A resuscitation mask
- Ventilators
Lab Supplies
Basic medical diagnosis doesn’t always tell you what you need to know, so you’ll need to turn to the lab analysis for patient testing. Labs have completely different kinds of supplies than what a medical clinic has. There may be some similarities but they are quite different when it comes down to it. If you work in a lab, be sure to always keep a good stock of supplies on hand. In this case, you may need certain medical equipment such as:
- Urine analysis
- Microscopes
- A fridge and freezer for storing specimens
- Chemistry analysis equipment
- A centrifuge
Some of this you will want to outsource to labs. However, there are cases when you need some basic equipment for testing. Getting things tested is super smart, it really helps patients receive diagnoses quicker than they could otherwise. Establishing even the most basic medical clinic is a big undertaking. It would help if you were prepared financially and had enough time to make all of the necessary equipment purchases. Remember, the administration of the clinic is also a huge part of the business, so you want to have all of the administrative office equipment such as computers and such, just like in any other office.
