Refurbished Operating Room Tables vs New: How to Decide

Used, refurbished and new: what the terms mean

Used means the table has been in service and is sold as it is. Refurbished should mean that a qualified party has inspected, repaired, tested and documented the table, replaced worn parts and returned it to the manufacturer's specification. The word refurbished has no universal definition, so ask the seller to describe in writing exactly what was done.

New equipment comes with manufacturer warranty, current documentation and the supplier's obligation to provide spare parts and service. That difference is the foundation of the comparison.

Risks of used and refurbished tables

The first risk is unknown history: hours of use, falls, fluid ingress, past repairs and cleaning damage are rarely visible. The second is safety: older tables may not meet current electrical safety and compatibility expectations, and electronics, batteries and hydraulics are the usual wear items. The third is support: the manufacturer may no longer supply spare parts or software for older generations.

A fourth point is regulatory. Requirements for registering or importing used or refurbished medical devices in the UAE can differ from those for new devices, so confirm the current position with the relevant authority such as MOHAP before committing.

• Unknown usage history and past damage
• Worn batteries, actuators or hydraulics
• Spare parts that may be discontinued
• Weak or missing documentation and traceability
• Possible regulatory restrictions on used devices

Warranty, service and spare parts

A new table normally comes with a full manufacturer warranty and a path to preventive maintenance, genuine spare parts and trained engineers. A refurbished table may carry a limited warranty from the refurbisher, which can be only as strong as the company behind it.

Ask who will service the table in five years, where parts will come from and how quickly. The Lojer Practico Manual and Scandia Prime illustrate new, current designs: Practico Manual is a manually operated hydraulic table with a stainless steel top for demanding environments, and Scandia Prime is a modular electromechanical table for day and short-stay surgery. For service, see our maintenance service.

Total cost of ownership

A lower purchase price can be offset by repair costs, downtime, shorter service life and the cost of replacing batteries or hydraulics sooner. When a theatre list is cancelled because a table fails, the loss is far greater than the original saving.

Build a five to ten year cost comparison that includes purchase, installation, accessories, maintenance and expected repairs for each option. Our guide to operating table price factors in the UAE shows which items to include.

When refurbished may be acceptable, and what to demand

Refurbished tables may be reasonable for training facilities, secondary stores or non-critical uses, provided the seller supplies a written inspection report, safety test records, a clear warranty and confirmation that parts are available. For main theatres with heavy case loads, new equipment with full manufacturer support is generally the safer choice.

If you are comparing options for a specific theatre, request a consultation from Beckfinity and our specialists will help you set the criteria.

A due-diligence checklist for any used offer

If you do consider a used or refurbished table, ask for the serial number and manufacturing year, the service history, the list of parts replaced, electrical safety test results and photographs of the unit under load. Confirm that the manufacturer still supports the model and can supply parts and software.

Inspect the table in person or send your biomedical engineer. Operate every function through its full range, listen for abnormal noise, look for oil traces on hydraulic parts and test the brakes and battery. Put every promise from the seller into the contract.