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Case Study: How one hospital was able to beat the trade-in offer from the OEM

June 13, 2023

Problem

A health system was looking to convert their endoscopy fleet of over 600 units. They received a trade-in offer for their old equipment, but they wanted to do better. That's when they reached out to Mazree for help.

 

Challenges

  • Large amount of equipment replaced at one time with no place to store it

  • Trade-in can seem like the easier option, but the equipment is worth far more

 

Our Goal

Our goal is always to provide a solution that offsets the costs for our clients and makes the whole process of medical asset recovery easy and stress-free.

 

Solution

We provided a cost-benefit analysis and presented a solution that not only included free pick-up and redployment, but also beat the OEM's offer by over $670,000.

 

Benefits

  • Logistics for pick-up providedby Mazree

  • Redeployment and Resellmanaged by single vendor

  • No upfront cost

  • Much higher return forequipment (>$670k)

 

Results

Our team took on 632 endoscopy assets and came out on top, redeploying 83, selling a massive 480+, and even giving 8 a second life through recycling. With an impressive 94% of all items sold, we hit a grand slam by reaching total endoscopy sales of $1.9 million and saving an additional $1.5 million in cost avoidance.

 

Conclusion


At Mazree, we know just how important it is to stay ahead of the curve in the healthcare industry, especially when it comes to medical asset recovery.

It is very common for medical equipment to end up in landfills, polluting the environment and becoming a waste of valuable resources. But with our smart auction platform, powered by AI, we're making a difference.

By partnering with hospitals and offering a comprehensive solution for medical asset recovery, we're giving our clients the tools they need to properly manage their assets and profit from them.

Our solution provides a one-stop-shop service, enabling hospitals to resell their unused equipment at maximum value with complete security.


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Who Really Buys A Used Hospital Bed? Easily Find Buyers Now!

February 08, 2021

If you have a used hospital bed you are looking to get rid of, you might be wondering what are your options? And you’ll likely be happy to know that your used hospital bed is actually an asset you can turn into cash. In this article, we’ll talk about the various types of buyers looking for used hospital beds and how you can find them today.

Used Hospital Bed Buyers Come in Many Forms 

It is important to note that there are many different types of buyers looking for used hospital beds. This can be great for sellers, because it gives you several options when trying to sell the bed. However, it is important to note that they vary widely.

For example, some buyers are individuals that have a need for a hospital bed at home. Another possible buyer could be companies, such as medical equipment resellers or even refurbishing companies. Even smaller hospitals or clinics are often shopping for used hospital beds to replace their equipment for a reasonable price. 

As you can imagine, each type of buyer will have unique requirements and different budgets. This is important to consider when you are deciding how you would like to sell your used hospital bed(s).

Sellers of Used Hospital Beds Vary as Well

Just as we discussed the different types of buyers, it’s important to consider the different types of sellers as well. Once you identify both who your ideal buyers are, and what type of seller you are, you can determine the best way to sell your used hospital bed.

Similar to the different types of buyers, sellers often fall into the same three categories, with a slight difference. The three categories of sellers you’ll often see are: individuals, companies such as refurbishing or resellers, and hospitals, both large and small.

How Do I Find Used Hospital Bed Buyers?

Whether you’re a private seller looking to sell a single bed, or a hospital looking to sell several beds, there are a several opportunities for you to find potential buyers. We break them down for you below.

Private Sellers / Individuals

Private sellers (or individuals) typically have a single used hospital bed they are looking to sell. Sometimes, they may even have a few, depending on the circumstances. If you fall into this category, most private sellers find the best results selling their used beds on eBay or Craigslist.

If you’re an individual looking to sell a used hospital bed, it’s likely that this is your first time and you’re not sure where to start. If this sounds like you, we recommend by starting with some basic research on eBay. You can simply search for “used hospital bed” on eBay and you’ll end up on a page like this where you can get familiar with the different types of beds, conditions and what they are currently selling for. This will help you understand how you should price your used hospital bed, and what shipping methods to offer.

Additionally, by viewing a few listings, you’ll discover what information is important to include on your listing to improve your chances of selling your bed quickly for a fair price.

Hospitals

Hospitals typically have multiple used hospital beds they are looking to sell and are looking for the easiest way to turn their used hospital beds into cash. Afterall, a hospital’s primary focus is helping patients get better, not reselling hospital equipment.

There are many options for hospitals that are looking to sell their used equipment. One option is to partner with a local company that refurbishes medical equipment and resells it. Another option is to partner with smaller hospitals or clinics in the surrounding areas, as they are often looking for discounted medical equipment to stretch their budgets as far as possible.

However, many hospitals may find that there are not such needs in their area or may not know where those needs exist. The good news is that there is another option that lets the hospitals easily list their used medical equipment, and lets potential buyers come to them via online smart auctions!

Mazree is the online auction platform where hospitals can easily sell their used medical equipment to buyers, including used hospital beds. We help sellers easily sell their surplus and used medical equipment to validated, reputable buyers within our network. With Mazree, you get the transparency and insight of being able to audit the entire bidding process at any time, while knowing your organization is getting maximum value for your surplus. And it only takes a few clicks!

Can Mazree Help Me Sell a Used Hospital Bed?

This is a question we get asked all the time. If you represent a hospital that is looking to turn their surplus or used medical equipment into cash, then Mazree can help you! We have a vast network of potential buyers, including buyers that refurbish equipment, resellers and smaller hospitals and clinics.


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Who Buys Used Medical Equipment? And How to Find Them!

February 02, 2021

You'll be surprised to know you can get many buyers for your used medical equipment. That's because the global used medical equipment market is booming. Experts suggest that the global pre-owned medical equipment market will be worth over $8.7 billion by 2025. Therefore, there is a high demand for used medical equipment at the moment.

There are various types of people wanting to buy used medical equipment like healthcare providers, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), private companies, and even charities. Used medical equipment is an attractive choice for many nowadays because it's very expensive to purchase the latest medical equipment. It's less wasteful and cheaper to buy used medical equipment instead.  

Types of Medical Equipment Buyers

OEM

Many OEMs are interested in used medical equipment. They may want to repurchase the medical equipment from you and refurbish the device to sell to their customers. Some OEMs have schemes such as trade-in or buyback. However, you might not maximize the money you can get when selling to OEMs.

Healthcare Providers

Other buyers can be healthcare providers, such as hospitals. Hospitals will often buy and sell used medical equipment to other hospitals directly. Although more recently, hospitals are turning towards websites like Mazree because this allows them to reach more buyers that aren't in their usual network and maximize profits.

If needed, when the medical equipment is being auctioned, essential space can be freed up in the hospital for other equipment pieces by storing the equipment in one of Mazree's storage facilities.

Private Companies

There are private companies that specialize in the sale of used and refurbished medical equipment. They will buy your used medical equipment and then sell it as a used machine, or they will refurbish it. These companies will try to resell your used medical equipment for higher prices. So, the profits won't go directly to you. The benefit of using Mazree is that you have complete control over the sales process. Your earnings are yours. We only take a small commission, starting as low as 8%, for the comprehensive services we provide.

Charities

Individuals usually donate used medical equipment to charities to help out those in need. However, be careful because some charities might resell the used medical equipment to people/organizations instead of donating it to them. You can find out which nonprofit organizations are reliable by clicking here.  

Where can I find buyers?

You can find buyers for your used medical equipment by doing a quick Google search. Websites like eBay and Craigslist will likely show up in your search results. However, we suggest using specialist websites like Mazree to buy and sell used medical equipment rather than general websites like eBay or Craigslist. This is because you might not get the full value for your used medical equipment. After all, you'll encounter general buyers, and there may not be many medical equipment buyers on there because it's a general website.

Plus, there are other things to consider, such as where the equipment would be stored while it's being sold? If needed, Mazree can take the equipment off your hands and put your used medical equipment in storage while it's being auctioned because we know it can take up a lot of space and be an inconvenience.

Furthermore, if you sell on a general website, you'll have to take care of everything. At Mazree, we facilitate the smart auction process and communicate with the buyer behind the scenes. If you want a stress-free and low fuss sale, you should definitely visit Mazree because we will connect you to thousands of buyers in the US with our smart auction in minutes!

Do you have used medical equipment that you want to get rid of? Mazree can help you sell surplus and maximize your profits. Visit https://www.mazree.com/sell-used-medical-equipment to start your selling journey.

If you would like to find out more information, please email us at info@mazree.com, call us on (866) 512-5533, or fill in the contact form below. A team member will be in touch shortly. 


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Have Used Medical Equipment to Sell? Not Sure What To Do?

January 28, 2021

Do you have used medical equipment to sell lying around? Have you been meaning to sell it, but you’re not sure how to? Well, you are in the right place. This article will let you know how to sell your used medical equipment with ease.

Hospital Equipment vs Home Medical Equipment

We should probably distinguish between used hospital medical equipment and home medical equipment first, though. Home medical equipment is any medical equipment that can be used at home; it can include wheelchairs, beds, thermometers, feeding tubes, and much more. In comparison, hospital medical equipment comprises diagnostic and therapeutic machines, such as MRIs, ventilators, ultrasounds, CT scanners, etc.

Selling Home Medical Equipment?

Individuals usually opt for eBay, local classified ads, or Craigslist to sell their home medical equipment. We recommend you sell your home medical equipment in these places too. However, you can also donate your home medical equipment to a charity if you would like. There are plenty of non-profit medical organizations that accept home medical equipment donations. You can find out which organizations are reliable by clicking here.

Selling Hospital Equipment?

However, if you are a hospital or healthcare provider and you’d like to sell used medical equipment, we recommend using Mazree to maximize your used medical equipment’s value. Mazree specializes in buying and selling used medical equipment using a smart auction. So, rest assured, you’ll be in good hands.

Once you’re registered and become an approved seller on Mazree, how does the auction work?  Well, it’s pretty easy:

   1. Create your auction listing using your PC, tablet, or smartphone.

   2. Just sit there and enjoy while we do the rest in the background!

You’ll need to decide where to keep the used medical equipment while it’s being auctioned. You can keep your used medical equipment at your facility, or alternatively, the Mazree can pick up your equipment and transfer it to one of Mazree’s storage facilities. The latter option is excellent if you don’t have the extra space to keep the used medical equipment and would not like to rent a place to store it until it’s sold. 

Mazree facilitates the smart auction process. Once you’ve got a buyer, we will invoice the buyer, collect the buyer’s payment, and then give them pick up instructions to ensure a smooth sales transition. Once all that’s been done, we will provide you with the check for your successful sale.

Why should you use Mazree?

✅ You can set up your auction listing in a matter of minutes; it’s as easy as that!

✅ Mazree’s advanced analytics help to maximize your used medical equipment’s value by allowing you to see the trends and bids.

✅ You won’t be left in the dark when you use Mazree, as you can follow the audit trail to know exactly where you are in the auction process.

✅ You can easily access your auction listings from anywhere, including PC, tablet and phone. Our mobile app is available on android phones and iPhones.

✅ We take care of the auction behind the scenes by facilitating the auction and corresponding with the buyer, making sure the process is hassle-free and smooth for you.

✅ We are upfront with our fees; it starts as low as 8% commission.

If you are interested in Mazree’s specialist auction services, visit https://www.mazree.com/sell-used-medical-equipment to sell your first item! Alternatively, if you’d like to find out more information, you can give us a call at (866) 512-5533 or email us at info@mazree.com.


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Frost & Sullivan Give the 2020 Global Company of the Year Award to RapidAI

January 25, 2021

Frost & Sullivan award a company that shows exemplary growth and innovation each year to showcase the novel advancements within certain market areas. This year Frost & Sullivan gave the 2020 Global Company of the Year Award to RapidAI for stroke imaging and diagnostics.

RapidAI is a healthcare company specializing in the development of AI-driven software to identify strokes and aneurysms as early as possible in patients. RapidAI recognized that stroke technologies were not up to scratch and needed a complete overhaul to improve patient diagnosis and treatment. So, they decided to develop RAPID (Rapid Processing of Perfusion and Diffusion) to combat the problem directly. RapidAI’s portfolio includes Rapid ASPECTS, Rapid ICH, Rapid CTP, Rapid CTA, Rapid LVO, Rapid MRI, and much more.

RapidAI’s software can support physicians throughout the diagnostic process, from initial interpretations to the final report. Rapid ICH can help to find intracranial hemorrhages in patients. While Rapid CTP determines the blood flow, transit time, and volume of the brain, helping to identify active parts of the brain.  

“RapidAI has a footprint across 1,600 hospitals in more than 60 countries. In addition to a global distribution network, the company leverages partnerships with various healthcare technology leaders such as Siemens Heathineers, Samsung Neurologica, Mobile Heartbeat, and Halo Health to grow its customer base and improve brand loyalty,” said Parth Shah, Senior Research Analyst. “The company’s products make hospitals more responsive while enabling better transfer decisions for patients. As a result, RapidAI not only saves time and costs but improves long-term outcomes by enabling faster stroke interventions.”

The best thing about RapidAI is that it can be seamlessly combined with nearly all types of MRI and CT imaging systems. The clinically proven technology has been used in 1,600 hospitals across 60 countries, and over a million scans have been recorded with RapidAI internationally. RapidAI has also been successful in securing funding. In 2020, the company received a whopping $25 million during a funding series in a bid to advance the company’s growth and expand its AI-driven portfolio internationally.

Visit https://www.rapidai.com/ to find more information about RapidAI and what they’re all about.


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Flat Panel Detector vs Image Intensifier: Which One Should I Buy?

January 13, 2021

We know it can be hard to decide which C-arm you should buy because there are so many different models and specifications to choose from! We have to say, deciding whether you buy a C-arm with a flat panel detector or image intensifier is critical because it’s an essential part of the C-arm. It’s up to you to decide which one you want. However, there are some things you should know before you choose. 

A C-arm comprises a generator (x-ray source) and a detector (flat panel detector or image intensifier).  The generator produces the X-rays, which target the patient’s body, and then the detector changes the x-rays into the images the doctor views. 

Image intensifiers were launched in the 1950s. Flat panel detectors made their debut roughly 50 years after image intensifiers in the 2000s. Ziehm was the first to make Flat panel detectors available in 2006. Image intensifiers were popular back in the day. However, nowadays, more and more C-arms are being made with flat panel detectors instead of the traditional image intensifiers.

C-Arm Considerations

Imaging quality

One of the most important factors that can help you decide whether you need a flat panel detector or image intensifier is the image quality. The C-arm you buy needs to produce high-quality images to help visualize bodily structures. Even though imaging quality can vary due to several factors, you will find flat panel detectors with superior imaging quality than image intensifiers. 

Apart from that, you’ll find that flat panel detectors come in one size. While image intensifiers are available in two sizes (9” or 12”). Flat panel detectors cover an increased field of view compared to image intensifiers. Each time you increase the magnification on an image intensifier, you will lose out on the field of view. Therefore, flat panel detectors allow the radiologist to view more of the patient’s body during scans and surgeries, helping them conduct their job more efficiently.

Size

Image intensifiers have a long tube, whereas flat panel detectors are mostly flat, making the flat panel detector more compact than an image intensifier. Due to its smaller nature, radiologists have more room to manoeuvre during scans and procedures. Having extra space to work might be especially beneficial when radiologists have larger patients and need the extra room to move around.

Radiation exposure

Radiation exposure emitted by imaging systems can increase the risk of getting cancer. Even though the cancer risk has been minimized as much as possible, there is still a small risk.  Fortunately, each year new and improved systems are being developed that help to reduce radiation exposure to patients and radiologists.

According to various research studies, flat panel detectors emit less radiation than image intensifiers. Researchers estimate this could be HALF the radiation dose, making flat panel detectors safer for the patient and radiologist.

Price

One of the biggest deciding factors in buying a C-arm is your budget! So, it would help to know about pricing. Having higher quality images and reduced radiation exposure comes at a higher price. Image intensifiers are usually 2-3 x cheaper than flat panel detectors, making them an affordable option.

However, flat panel detectors will become more affordable over time. The cost of flat panel detectors will reduce once they become more mainstream, and parts become available for them.

Lifespan

An image intensifier produces high-quality images. However, the image quality will begin to deteriorate after a few years - image intensifiers can last approximately five years. In comparison, a flat panel detector will provide you with excellent images over the years. Flat panel detectors don’t deteriorate as fast as image intensifiers. So, you can expect a flat panel detector to last longer than an image intensifier.

However, as image intensifiers have been around longer than flat panel detectors, the parts for image intensifiers are more widely available. Therefore, you can easily enhance your image intensifiers’ lifespan with regular servicing and changing parts when any issues arise.  

C-Arm Summary

The flat panel detector and image intensifier both have excellent imaging capabilities. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, but they both work well for C-arms! Whether you should buy a flat panel detector or an image intensifier entirely depends on your clinical needs and budget.

If you are looking for a C-arm on a lower budget, then image intensifiers would be a good choice for your needs. If you can stretch your budget a little more, then you can get a C-arm with a flat panel detector, helping you reduce radiation exposure and improving image quality.

We hope our comparison has helped you decide which type of C-arm to buy. At Mazree, we often have C-arms with image intensifiers and flat panel detectors available on our smart auction listing. If you are interested, you can easily find yourself a C-arm today by clicking here.


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FDA Gives 510(K) Clearance to ClearRT™ Helical kVCT Imaging for the Radixact ® System

January 11, 2021

Recently, Accuray Incorporated announced in a press release that they received 510 (k) clearance by the FDA for their imaging system. They received FDA clearance for the ClearRT™ Helical kVCT Imaging for the Radixact System, which is a next-generation TomoTherapy platform.

Accuray is a medical company that designs and develops radiotherapy systems to treat cancer. They wish to create safer and more effective cancer therapies to improve cancer patients’ long-term outcomes.

The ClearRT is a new imaging system that has been designed with the patient’s needs at the forefront. The ClearRT is capable of producing excellent CT images in a rapid and cost-saving manner. Interestingly, the ClearRT doesn’t use cone beam technology like traditional setups. Instead, it uses helical fan-beam imaging, which can be used at kV or MV wavelengths to get the best quality images of soft tissues and much more. The ClearRT can be easily used with the Radixact system to provide advanced radiotherapy for cancer patients.  

“ClearRT is a novel, helical CT imaging solution that we believe addresses an unmet market need. It integrates with other Accuray-only applications, such as Synchrony® Real-time Motion Synchronization and Adaptive Treatment Delivery Technology, on the Radixact System, making it possible for providers to offer a new level of precision and accuracy in the treatment of the simplest to the most complex pathologies,” said Suzanne Winter, chief commercial officer and senior vice president, R&D at Accuray.

Further adding, “Our continuing innovation on the Radixact System is designed to leverage the power of its 360-degree, helical delivery platform to facilitate advanced, hypofractionated and ultra-hypofractionated treatments that support our customers’ efforts to maintain the highest standard of care for their community.”

Accuray plans to start commercializing the ClearRT Helical kVCT Imaging sometime in spring this year. Visit https://www.accuray.com/ to find out about Accuray’s latest radiotherapies.


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The Most Innovative Medical Equipment in 2020

January 01, 2021

2020 was a rough year for everyone. At Mazree, we want to start 2021 on a lighter note. So here we showcase some of the most innovative and fascinating medical equipment we heard about back in 2020.

 

The Swoop™ portable MRI system

We think the Swoop™ portable MRI system was one of the best medical equipment pieces we've seen this year! The portable MRI functions like a normal-sized MRI, but this fascinating machine is just half the size of a regular one and can be used to take images of the brain or limbs. The portable MRI can be taken to the patient's bedside to perform scans, making this a great way to reduce waiting times and improve accessibility in hospitals.

The Swoop™ portable MRI system received 510(k) clearance by the FDA in early 2020, and recently news came about that Tampa General Hospital was the first hospital in Florida to be using the Swoop™.  So, the technology is already making its way into US hospitals. You can find the full article about the Swoop™ portable MRI system here.

 

ControlRad

Being exposed to radiation during a scan is a big concern because of the apparent cancer risk - the cancer risk may be small, but the risk still exists. Therefore, imaging systems need to be refined to minimize the radiation exposure during these essential diagnostic scans.

The ControlRad trace system precisely does that! The ControlRad trace system blocks unnecessary radiation exposure emitted from C-arms when they take medical images. In September 2020, ControlRad announced that they received 510(k) clearance by the FDA to use ControlRad trace on OEC 9900 mobile C-arms.

The ControlRad system is a versatile piece of equipment that can be easily fitted onto existing C-arm models to decrease radiation exposure. A tablet, image processing technology, and a filter are included in the ControlRad trace system. Find out about the ControlRad system by clicking here.

 

CT Scan with lower radiation   

Researchers based at University College London (UCL) in the UK have developed a novel Computed Tomography (CT) method that has reduced radiation exposure compared to traditional methods. The research study titled "Cycloidal Computed Tomography" was published in Physical Review Applied in July 2020.

The novel method splits up the C-ray beam into small and thin beamlets, and thus the CT scanner emits a lower dose of radiation. Although the CT scanner emits a lower dose of radiation, the image quality isn't compromised at all. In fact, the cycloidal computer tomography method could produce images superior to current imaging techniques used in clinics and hospitals around the world. 

The researchers suggest that this method could build-upon current imaging techniques to get higher-quality images to help diagnose diseases more efficiently and quickly while minimizing the patient's radiation risk.

 

FastMRI

FastMRI was developed by the Facebook AI team and NYU Grossman school of medicine. The fastMRI combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) with MRI imaging technology. The developers of the fastMRI created a neural network that was trained using data from previous knee scans.

In a study conducted by the fastMRI team, it was found that MRI scans created with AI were on par with conventional MRIs. Radiologists were able to diagnose health conditions regardless of the method used. Interestingly, the team found that fastMRIs could take scans much quicker, and the scan images were of higher quality than traditional MRIs.

The team suggests that knees could be imaged in 10 minutes maximum if AI technology were to be used in hospitals in the future. Therefore, AI-driven MRI scans are just as useful as traditional MRIs for diagnostic imaging purposes. The AI technology used in fastMRIs could be a game-changer!

To read the full article about fastMRIs, click here.

 

4D MRI for fetal heart imaging

This next bit of medical equipment is quite fascinating! A group of researchers from King's College London in the UK have developed 4D MRI technology capable of imaging fetal hearts. The paper titled "Fetal whole heart blood flow imaging using 4D cine MRI" was published in Nature Communications in October 2020. 

The technology works by patching together several 3D images into cine loops to simulate a heartbeat. With the 4D MRI tech, now cardiologists can observe fetal blood flow, something which wasn't easily done with previous fetal imaging techniques. This novel 4D MRI technology has vast applications. It could easily be used to diagnose congenital heart disease in fetuses and help with disease management more rapidly than usual. We hope these 4D MRIs make their way into clinics as soon as possible because the technology is quite impressive!


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Where to Donate Used Medical Equipment

December 17, 2020

Nowadays, a lot of people are turning to donations. Instead of throwing away your medical equipment and supplies (which is highly wasteful), you can donate them instead. Many people don’t have access to vital medical care and could really use the medical equipment and supplies.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, medical donations are needed more than ever now.

It can be hard to know where to donate your used medical equipment. Especially when organizations say they are “donation” centers, but they actually sell your used medical equipment to other people for a profit. Real non-profit organizations won’t sell medical equipment for a profit. They will provide used medical equipment to developing countries, facilities, and people that need it the most.

We’ll let you know which non-profit organizations are trustworthy and where you should donate. However, before that, we need to distinguish between home medical and hospital medical equipment because they are easily confused.

What is home medical equipment?

Home medical equipment is any medical equipment that can be used at home. This can include things like:

  • Beds
  • Wheelchairs
  • Thermometers
  • Feeding tubes
  • Crutches

What is hospital medical equipment?

Hospital medical equipment consists of diagnostic imaging systems and therapy machines, such as:

  • Ultrasounds
  • C-arms
  • Ventilators
  • MRIs
  • CT scanners

What should I do with my medical equipment?

Now that we know the difference between the types of medical equipment, we can give some recommendations. At Mazree, we recommend donating home medical equipment to trustworthy non-profit organizations. If you are interested in recovering value from used hospital equipment, you can use Mazree.com for that purpose.

We have compiled a list of 3 trustworthy non-profit organizations where you can donate your home medical equipment.

 

Med-Eq

Med-Eq is a non-profit organization based in Connecticut, USA. Med-Eq provides a free service where they connect donations to deserving recipients. The medical supplies are donated where there is the greatest need (in the US and developing countries). You simply give some information about the donation, your location, and whether it can be mailed or needs to be picked up. Then a representative will contact you to discuss the details of the donation further.

Med-Eq accepts a wide range of items for donations, including wheelchairs, crutches, beds, catheters, syringes, and much more. However, they won’t accept any pharmaceutical products or items that are expired. 

 

Project C.U.R.E  

Project C.U.R.E. is based in Colorado, USA. It is one of the largest non-profit organization that collects and redistributes donated medical equipment to hospitals and clinics in developing countries. Project C.U.R.E performs a needs assessment to figure out who needs donation the most, and then they send 40-foot shipping containers packed with medical equipment!

“Annually, Project C.U.R.E. delivers more than 180 cargo containers with a value of more than $60 million of donated medical equipment and supplies to under-resourced healthcare facilities in 50+ countries,” says Project C.U.R.E

 

MedShare

MedShare is another non-profit organization that provides humanitarian aid across the globe. While their headquarters is in Georgia, MedShare has donation bins across various hospitals in New York, Northern California, and Metro Atlanta. The surplus medical items are regularly picked up from these donation bins and then sorted at distribution centers to send to developing countries.

MedShare does not accept pharmaceutical products, liquids, or any items that are expired.  They accept donations for wheelchairs, patient scales, thermometers, IV poles, and much more.

Alternatively, you can also check with your local hospitals and clinics to see if they need any home medical equipment and supplies. The medical equipment would reach them very fast due to the location.


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CT Scan vs. MRI: The Key Differences

December 10, 2020

CT scanners and MRI machines may look exactly the same, but they are not the same. These two pieces of medical equipment are quite different from each other. In this article, we will explain the key differences between CT scans and MRI machines. We hope that this information will help you decide which one to buy.  

CT scans and MRI machines are both doughnut-shaped imaging systems used to view the patient's organs and tissues. The patient lays on the table, and the motorized table slowly passes through the machine as the scan is being done.

Even though these scanners seem the same, they aren't. CT scanners and MRI machines take medical images in different ways.

What are the main differences between a CT and an MRI?

MRI machines are radiation-free imaging systems. They use a magnet and a specialist computer to create scan images. In contrast, CT scans don't use a magnetic field. They use x-rays to take scan images instead.

What are they mainly used for?

Although these imaging systems take images differently, CT scans and MRI machines take images of similar body parts. The imaging systems can diagnose issues in the heart, brain, lungs, and other organs.

MRI machines can provide more detailed images, so radiologists prefer to use MRIs for soft tissue problems like herniated discs, torn ligaments, or a tendon injury. On the other hand, CT scans are frequently used to detect tumors, lung problems, and cardiovascular abnormalities like blockages in the blood vessels, aneurysms, and heart disease.

The pros and cons

People with any kind of metal implants can't have an MRI scan because it will interact with the MRI machine's magnet and cause issues. People with pacemakers, dark tattoos, IUD, eye implants can benefit from having a CT scan instead of an MRI scan.  

A CT scanner is faster than an MRI machine. A CT scanner takes on average 10-20 minutes. While MRI machines take 30-90 minutes, depending on the area being imaged and how many images are needed. Even though CT scans are faster, MRI machines take higher quality images.

CT scanners are typically half the price of MRI machines. MRI machines can cost in the region of $200,000-$700,000. However, this does depend on the brand, software included, year of manufacture, coils, etc. Interestingly, brand new CT scanners and MRI machines with high specifications can even reach the million-dollar mark.

CT scans are used more commonly to diagnose diseases than MRI machines; this is reflected in the number of scans done each year! Approximately 80 million CT scans and 40 million MRI scans are performed annually in the US.

CT scanners are radiation-based imaging systems. There is an added worry about using CT scanners because of the radiation involved and the cancer risk. However, the amount of radiation released by a CT scanner is minimal, and they are safe to use - providing they aren't overused without good reason. Still, individuals may prefer to have an MRI scan instead because it is radiation-free.

You can get a lot of usage out of CT scanners and MRI machines because both imaging systems last quite long if they are correctly maintained. CT scanners and MRI machines typically last 8-11 years before needing to be replaced. The imaging systems offer long lifespans. So, hopefully, you won't have to worry about a replacement for quite a while.

CT scanners and MRI machines are brilliant imaging systems that can help diagnose diseases efficiently, so they are vital for hospitals. When deciding to buy a CT scanner or MRI machine, it's important to remember that CT scanners and MRI machines have pros and cons. Therefore, you will need to choose an imaging system, depending on your individual needs. Medical equipment that will fulfill your day to day clinical requirements should be a top priority.

Do you want to buy a used CT scanner or MRI machine?

Mazree is an auction site that specializes in used medical equipment. We have a range of medical equipment, including CT scanners and MRI machines, available on our auction listings. Visit https://www.mazree.com/buy-used-medical-equipment to buy used medical equipment today!


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