What Works
Asset management program benefits extend beyond savings

Fairchild Medical Center, Yreka, CA.

Fairchild Medical Center had been using an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) multi-vendor program for their imaging equipment maintenance. Over the years, costs continued to increase and the flexibility from the vendor continued to decrease. Fairchild was not completely satisfied with the quality of service, could not choose the vendors they wanted and had limited input on the equipment maintenance decisions because of their contract. Fairchild was determined to replace this program with system that would be flexible enough to meet their specific and unique needs at the lowest possible cost.

Flexibility is key

At the renewal of their contract, Fairchild turned to Thermo Asset Management Services (Thermo AMS). Jonathon Andrus, MHA, MBA, assistant administrator at Fairchild, determined it had the potential to save his facility thousands of dollars, while implementing the management style they were looking for: Flexibility, vendor choice and empowered decision making, all elements of Thermo AMS’ LIFECYCLE Program. Andrus learned Thermo AMS would work with departmental managers to provide them with the information they needed to make optimal cost-effective decisions, while guaranteeing their maintenance budget. Previously, Andrus noted, cost information from the OEM was not clear and organized, making it difficult to budget and control costs. 

Maintaining positive service vendor relationships is critical to Fairchild, due to its location in rural, northern California. Most service providers are more than four hours away. Fairchild now chooses the vendors based on their service quality, response time and cost. Fairchild continues to utilize those vendors with which they have been able to create professional working relationships with, but now on a time-and-materials basis rather than service contracts.

The radiology team mark the installation of the new digital mammography unit at Fairchild Medical Center, Yreka, CA. Left to right are Mike Baker, radiology manager; Mike Maloney, MD, radiologist; Kathy Stidham, technologist; Gary Wade, MD, radiologist; Suzanne Taylor, technologist; Mary Ann FItzgerald, PACS administrator; Mary Ann Anderson, technologist, and Jan Sinnott, technologist.

Cost-effective repairs

Since implementing the LIFECYCLE Program in 2004, Fairchild has benefited in many ways. One of Thermo AMS’ support services is the HELP HOTLINE, a service that assists facilities in making the most cost-effective repair decisions. This may mean providing information when less expensive, quality parts are available for their equipment. For example, when an OEM quoted an X-ray tube at a cost of $30,000 the HELP HOTLINE was able to find an alternative X-ray tube for $4,275. And when an OEM quoted a new transducer at $20,000 the HELP HOTLINE suggested an alternate vendor that could replace it for $3,400. When the collimator in the hospital’s radiographic/tomographic room needed to be replaced, the HELP HOTLINE confirmed that the OEM was the best source for providing a refurbished collimator. Thermo AMS also makes preventive maintenance management information to assist Fairchild in making those decisions.

Since Thermo AMS proved to be cost effective in the radiology department, Fairchild has successfully added equipment in the laboratory department. Andrus and the staff at Fairchild could not be happier with the program. "The organizational tools that Thermo AMS provides us with are among the most beneficial parts of the program," Andrus stated. "We have a positive view of the future of our hospital because we know our costs, we have a successful management program in place and we are in control. There is nothing more important than that." The LIFECYCLE Program has continued to make a positive financial impact at Fairchild and, more importantly, the medical center has seen operational efficiencies implemented. Fairchild has realized its goal of finding a program that provides them with flexibility, vendor choice, empowered decision making and an effective management style – all while reducing and maintaining their costs. HPN

Thermo Asset Management Services has been providing proven services to healthcare, university and research organizations for more than 25 years and operates as a business unit of Thermo Electron Corp., a world leader in analytical instruments. Thermo AMS has more than 200 employees and 16 regional sales offices nationwide. For more information, visit www.thermoams.com.