The Wall of Shame

Dedicated to vendors who gouge on parts?

You be the JUDGE!

If you are the vendor of this part and I have stated some component pricing

inaccurately, please email me and I’ll correct it!

Send me your candidates for the “Wall”

to

Email to Wallofshame@att.net

May 2009

OK, $2400 for a 12V supply?

I have got a candidate for you!

GYRUS/ACME just billed me 2340.00 to replace a 12VDC power supply.  They refused sell me the part, so I was forced into sending my Xenon light source in for repair.  After 8 weeks and several calls, I finally got my equipment back.  It seemed to be in much better shape then when it went out so I called them on it.  They said that they had replaced the fan (115VAC caused the 15V power supply to blow?), the case, and a whole bunch of other exterior goodies that I had authorized under the heading of ‘repair’. 

To be honest, they did send an estimate that needed to be approved but it was nonspecific and was assumed on my part that the power supply or related parts was in worse condition then I thought so I had authorized the repair- I did not realize I was authorizing a rehab of the unit otherwise I would have approved ‘power supply’ related only.

I asked why they did this without specifying that a facelift was to be performed and make up a bulk of the repair cost.  They stated that they do that to any part that does not meet their standards. 

If I do business with them again: Specify in writing to repair problem only.  I’m not sure whether they will agree to these terms initially but they might give in when the business begins to drop off.

Addendum;

OK my bad- they did specify that cover and other cosmetic changes would be made. 

Submitted by Lawrence C.

And Another:

The OEM’s always seem surprised we choose 2^nd source vendors!

Why would we do that?

We have to replace a Philips x-ray tube. An SRO2550 in a ROT 350 housing. Exchange price from Philips: $11750. Price from Varian: $3825.

Thanks,

Submitted by Dave R.

And Another:

A great example of what equipment support is all about!

Drager want $5707 for a service exchange flat panel display for the

Drager 6000 series anesthesia units. I repaired our flat panel by

replacing the backlight inverter at a cost of $66.70.

Webpage of repair: http://hba1.netfirms.com/display/flatpanel.htm

Submitted by Terry D.

And Another:

Another great example of what equipment support is all about!

The new MAC 5500 has a communications PCB in place of the floppy drive. This PCB provides a modem and Ethernet interface. Cost of the PCB is $1731 CDN. Part No.: 2022332-001

When we had two Ethernet interfaces fail I decided to investigate. The Ethernet function is provided by a Mulittech Systems module available from DigiKey for $55.76 Canadian. I had to solder it in but I still remember how, although it has been a while.

Catalog No.:  591-1036-ND

Mfr. Part No.: MTXCSEM-L.R3
Supplier:     Digi-Key Corporation

I suspect that the ethernet interfaces where damaged when they where connected to a digital phone jack located in the same wall plate.

Submitted by Paul V.

And Another:

The OEM’s always seem surprised we choose 2^nd source vendors!

Why would we do that?

This switch is used in a Philips X-ray system, it adjusts the collimator

blades. Philips Part # 2422 120 00495 cost $122.25

Same switch from Allied Electronics part # 804-0021 cost $6.36

Submitted by Angelo G.

And Another:

Cost of a battery for Plum A+ from Hospira = $65

The cost of a Panasonic battery from 3^rd party vendor that is the same quality = $12.60.

Care to guess where we bought the batteries.

Submitted by Brian W.

The “GOUGE” of the Month

No pictures but……………….

GE/OEC 9800 C-arm

Iris collimator blade drive motor

From GE/OEC = $6100.50

Same OEM motor (Portsescap Inc.) via Avnet Electronics = $164.90

A number of contributors ask to post anonymously, and I certainly understand that,

It’s another symptom of the relationship between vendors and their customers.

Mr S., thanks for the contribution!

And another low blow from a vendor;

Normal markup indeed!

Sir:

I have been reading your website for a while, but have been very

hesitant to bring items to you. Recently I have had a few 9 watt compact fluorescent screw-in lamps

(Philips SLS9W) go out on Drager Babytherm 8010 Radiant infant Warmers.

These are energy efficient replacements for standard filament light bulbs

that you can buy in most any store now. I looked up the Drager part #

2M30601 in my manual. When I went to order them from Drager, I was quoted a

price of $95 each. I had them double check the price, and then had an

internal investigation done on the price. When I was contacted again, I was

told that this was the correct price and a normal mark-up.

Here is a link to a lamp dealer selling the exact same Philips lamp for

$16.99:

http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/ecart/nw012104/PHILIPS22017-7SLS9LAMP.htm

But better yet, here is a link to a supplier of 9W compact fluorescent

lamps at 4 for $11.99:

https://www.chooserenewables.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16151&cat=3&page=1

Thanks to Mr. W.K

The “GOUGE” of the Month

Here’s a 3M M170 touch display, complete for $675

3M MicroTouch M170 Black 17" Touch Monitor

Part #: 41-91375-225

Is there anyone that could help me second source the touch screen for the Servo i ventilator?  I was given a factory part number of: 6670645 with a price of $5,754.00. 

This was a Maquet part number and the Maquet price.  So the wall of shame should

acknowledge Maquet for it's outstanding ability to overcharge on their parts.

Thanks for keeping me anonymous!

Here’s the phenomenally overpriced touch panel from Maquet

Ringing in at $5,754.00

I’d think twice about any Servo I purchases!!!

And Another Gouge

How much should a service manual cost?

I had called Tech Support to get help on the specs for a surgical light. It's a Steris Polaris (Centra 360).

I asked the tech what can be done to increase the brightness of the unit since it seemed kind of dim to me.

(Maybe the dimmest thing here is the Steris appreciation of their customers)

He suggested I replace the Bulbs, which I had, check to make sure they

were the correct voltage & amps, I did. check the voltage to the bulbs, ,it was correct.

He said that there was a calibration procedure, then I asked if he could fax it to me, he said it wasn't possible, I asked if he could email it he said he couldn't do that either. Then I asked what the lumenance should be; so that I could measure the output.

He said all that was in the service manual and that he couldn't tell me, but that if I wanted to purchase the manual he would give me the p/n. I asked for the p/n and price. I threw the information away no way was I going to pay for a $900.00 for a surgical light service manual.

Victor Mendoza [mailto:victorcalifbmed@hotmail.com]

Now that’s what I’m talking about!

From our Service Partners at;

Philips Medical Systems

PMS

The Stanley Powerlock tape measure shown in the photo is from a Philips EZ Diagnost R&F room. Part # 452216313672. Price $423.89. However, that the part is no longer available. So I must purchase an upgrade kit. Price about $950.00. Ouch!

J. Walsh
Somerset Medical Center

Thanks John, for yet another CLASSIC example…

We’ve all heard it too many times, “We really want partner with you”.

Well, in some states their idea of a partnership is only legal if you’re married!!!

The “GOUGE” of the Month

Attached are pics of a TSO panel that required replacement on our Philips MD3. This device is nothing more than a collection of switches that control table and c-arm movement. It could not possibly cost Philips more than $500 to manufacture. The price from Philips for this part: $21K. There should be a law..!

J. Walsh
Somerset Medical Center

I’m sure there was some circumstance that made it necessary for Philips to teach you a lesson on this

particular failure, like they needed to meet their financial targets late in the quarter!

Curt

The “GOUGE” of the Month

Our Renal Services department runs 24 stations of Fresenius 2008H machines. These 24 machines account for about 35% of our total parts budget. ($40k per year)

The keyboard pictured helps illustrate the problem!

This keyboard for the FDS08 cost an unbelievable $764.35.

Here are some other phenomenally overpriced parts;

DC motor and gearbox =$367.98

Acid pump = $364.00

Gear head = $322.40

BP motor and gearbox = $367.98

Hydroblock body = $568.56

Curt Doles

Director, Medical Engineering

Summa Health System

Akron, Ohio

dolesc@summa-health.org

The “GOUGE” of the Month

We have a few of the older HP Central stations (D4367N) at our facility. In
> the last year we have had two of the hard drives crash beyond repair.
> Replacement for the SCSI 4.5 Gb drives is about $800 each from Philips.
> With a minimum of searching I found a 36.7 Gb SCSI hard drive for $150 and
> an adapter (Ultrawide68-pin to 50-pin) for $27 from CDW. After formatting
> and reinstalling the OS and current revision of software (C.0), the
> computers are running perfectly and with no complaints from staff. Except
> for an 'atta-boy' from my boss, the hospital has not acknowledged the $600
> savings each time. Oh well, another day of saving the world in Biomedical
> World.
>
>
> Michael W Mitchell
””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””

Thanks Michael!

We’ve seen a number of those gouges also, with just about every vendor that

utilizes hard drive technology. Sometimes it’s a thankless job!

We document every occurrence like that in a spreadsheet we call the “Savings Log”.

Every now and then I discuss it with my boss, he’s a very appreciative guy.

Curt

The “GOUGES” of the Month

GE and partnership, an oxymoron?

$1200 for four fuses!

Unbelieveable

I figured you could add this one to the list. We called in GE to work on an Advantx R/F Room and had to replace a $3,400 board. But the Tech also found that a 5 Amp, 700 Volt Fuse was also blown, and we said to go ahead and replace it so we could get the room back up and running. The Tech had blown the spare fuse that we had while troubleshooting and we didn't have the time to locate the spare fuse ourselves locally, because the staff was needing the room very quickly. The GE Rep came back later and said GE does not sell that fuse individually, you have to buy a "Fuse Kit". The kit contains 8-9 fuses that rarely blow, except for the one we had to replace. Cost on the kit was $1,100. We did cross reference the fuse we needed and found it for $17.97. You do the math on that one.

We thought that there were 8-9 fuses, but there were actually only 4 fuses in the "kit". Two- 25 Amp and two- 5 Amp fuses.

Warren S. Garmon
Director of Technical Operations
Bio-Medical Services, Inc.
warrengarmon@biomedicalservices.org
(770)945-3117

Service Record

Room Number

Dispatch Number

Customer

System ID #

TRIP LOG

Covered Hours
STD Billed
Labor	Travel
1.5	1.0
Non Covered Hours
O. T. Billed
O.T. Labor	O.T. Travel
2.0	1.0

Date

Start Time

End Time

System Status

Travel Time

T&L Expense

20050520

12:00

13:30

91

1.0

$0.00

20050521

09:30

11:30

90

1.0

$0.00

SVC CLS	FMI No	FMI Code	Model No	Serial Number	Account Number
001

SYMPTOM

NOT COVD/E 41 POWER COMMUNICATION ERROR

DIAGNOSIS AND SERVICE PERFORMED

TROUBLESHOT, REPLACED FILAMENT PCB.

PARTS USED

Qty	Part Number	Consignment No.	Description	Unit Price	Total Price
1	2179056-5	100292578	HEATER BOARD (COST REDUCTION)	$3499.00	$3499.00
1	2261172	100292578	UPGRAD FUSES DC FILTER	$1199.00	$1199.00

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING GE SERVICE. FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CALL US AT 1-800-437-1171

Total Charge To Customer

Customer P.O. Number

Accepted By

Serviced By:

This Is Not An Invoice

Thanks Warren!

The “GOUGES” of the Month

First we have our old friends GE!

John says,

This seems like a very good candidate for the Wall Of Shame.
 
I Say,
This is exactly, precisely what we’re talking about!
 
The zero/ref module (no part #), that comes attached to a GE/Marquette CO2 transducer cable (part # 412340-002) 
will not be sold separately by Respironics to GE or anyone and you are forced to trade in a perfectly good CO2 
cable/transducer for the, apparently to them, miniscule price of $2,450 just to get the module. This looks to be no
 more than a $5 to $10 piece of plastic with 2 small magnets inside for transducer position verification. From the
 attached pictures you can see this is not a sealed compartment although there is a channel for a gasket. It is just 
a compartment for ambient CO2 to be sampled through the different sized clear windows of the module. Nothing
 high tech or exotic. The module is fitted around the cable and secured by 3 small screws and is easily detachable.
 There is no reason for Respironics not to sell this separately! GE made it clear to me that
Respironics will not sell it to them separately either.
 
Gouging like this is why healthcare and insurance is unaffordable by a large and growing portion of the 
US population! There is absolutely no justification for this!
 
John Pischel
Biomedical Technician
St. Josephs Hospital
Marshfield, WI 54449

Wow, seems like GE might have a little clout with Respironics, you know, just buy them and move their operations to….

Thanks John, I feel your pain, at least several times a month!

And from another GE fan!

As part of a service contract, GE provides all necessary parts. Good thing! I have a record of a recent "parts supplied" transaction that demonstrates the leverage that GE uses to "encourage" the purchase of price-inflated service contracts.

The item: a 3-position switch, GE part #2199597, GE price CDN $987 (US$ would be ~$750) The manufacturer: EAO, EAO part number 51-972-022, EAO price US$15.

Note: this part did not come complete with it's own case of rare single malt scotch whiskey.

Ted Hope

Technical Support

Radiology Department

PHC, Vancouver, BC, Canada

On another note!

Philips!!!!

I’ve been pretty unhappy with Philips lately on the patient monitoring side. I had one event that required a FSE to come in and flash an EEPROM, the bill was $835, minimum travel, minimum labor, $30 part, so I paid $835 for 1/2 hour of tech time.

We’ve also had some recent CO module failures, $1500 exchange, WOW, they must have the highest paid bench techs on the planet. OK, so they don’t care if they lose that business to all the third party and used equipment vendors. I can buy the same module elsewhere for half the cost with the same warranty.

We occasionally are forced to buy a board that can’t be sent with the correct software revisions already on it, that typically costs us $500 to $600 for a Laptop hookup to turn functions on or off.

We have great sales support, we have great tech support, but the service pricing is out of line.

We recently had another vendor in for an equipment demo, it wasn’t GE or Philips!

The “GOUGES” of the Month

10/04/2004

A number of posts on Biomedtalk refer to difficulty getting parts for Baxter pumps, a few examples;

Hi Curt, Here is the scoop. I ordered F069110519 PCBA, Power Supply on July 2,04 and another on August 9, 94 both are still back ordered. Than after my post I find that the PN has been changed to F069110522.

Why didn't customer service have this noted? Typical Baxter when it comes to parts.

Thanks

*********************************************************************************************************************

Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 09:05:11 -0400

From: Jason B <unifiedsystemslink@YAHOO.COM>

Subject: Baxter Colleague Parts

Good morning,

I ordered some lithium batteries for the colleague pumps in early July and I still have not received them. When I called Baxter to check the status of the order I was told "they are on BACKORDER".

Is there anything not on backorder?

**********************************************************************************************************************

Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 11:02:50 -0400

From: David Soumis <david.soumis@AURORA.ORG>

Subject: Re: Baxter Colleague Parts

they have a backlog of pump builds...cannot fill their orders.

try here...I use them for batteries all the time. Excellent service...great company.

alpha source..

www.alphasource.com

The “GOUGES” of the Month

07/11/2004

A Flat rate repair on a MONITOR for $2400

Or

$91

Spacelabs model# 91418

Spacelabs model# 91418 equals National Display Systems model# V2-SX18-R6100 part# 09X0176. For these monitors we had Spacelabs repair one under warranty it took 2 months and a service loaner was supplied.  Now that the monitors are out of warranty, $2400 is the flat rate repair fee quoted by Spacelabs and service loaners cost $250.

The monitor problem was an intermittent connection for the touchscreen. Spacelabs or NDS wouldn't sell us the DB9 connector assembly. NDS would repair the monitor, as stated it cost $91 and turn around time was 1 month.

This contributor asked to remain anonymous!

The “GOUGES” of the Month

05/15/2004

And the candidates are……

Philips, Steris, Datascope and GE

***********************************************************

Philips, a fine example of wretched excess!

The part is a tilting pot assembly, Philips part # 4512131 16551. See attached pictures front and back.   We know the cost of any part tied to medical equipment is automatically marked up a few hundred percent but in this case I think Philips went slightly overboard.  This is a handle with a pot (probably not more than $10), and a micro switch (probably not more than $5) placed on a metal plate/bracket with a mechanism to actuate the micro switch when turned either way.  Philips price tag: $4,018.69.  The quarter is not included.  How can this type of a price tag be justified?....... Why do they charge so much?...... Because they can.......

Name withheld by request, sometimes, after a mugging, the person assaulted

doesn’t want to testify for fear of retribution!!!

Numerous analogies about vendor practices come to mind here, but I’ll take the high road and keep them to myself.

Thanks to the contributor for taking the time to send me the info!

It is appreciated.

*********************************************************************************************************

Steris, Nobody saw me do it!

When Steris was selling the red pinch valves for 145.00 I found them at a trade show in Chicago.  I asked the rep and he said that they made the units for Steris and sold me 50 for $300. That was $6 each.  The markup was 24 times the cost.  I bet they paid a lot less that $6.00 too.

Roy Morris
Cox Health Systems
Springfield, MO

**********************************************************************************************************

Datascope, It was a clerical error.

I have a Wall of Shame item.

I called Interstate Batteries, Alphasource, and several other places looking for a 12V, 2.3ah battery for a Datascope Accutorr 4. I was quoted everything from $12.79 to $50. I then called Datascope and asked for the their price. I was quoted $193. I called again to another customer service rep just to make sure the first person didn't screw it up. Nope. $193. That, to me, is a candidate for the Wall of Shame.

Richard Bahlmann

Medical Equipment Repairer

VA Central Iowa Health Care System

3600 30th St

Des Moines, IA 50310

PH: 515-699-5999 x4802

***********************************************************************************************************

GE, We see stupid people, they’re everywhere!!!

Roy sent me this post regarding a $490 mouse.

GE Marquette wanted $400.97 for a UNIX 3 button optical mouse. It was on

a Marquette MARS Patient Information Archive System that ties into our

Cardiology Dept to evaluate ECG's

Equal replacement $6.90

Roy Stuedemann

rstuedem@STAGNES.ORG

Thanks Roy,

Curt

************************************************************************************************

And the Winners are?

The facilities, ISO’s and third parties that employ these creative Biomed folks who are always looking for alternatives to reduce costs and keep the equipment online and serving the clinicians and patients who rely on them.

The “GOUGES” of the Month

04/02/2004

Siemen’s Sequoia, Front Casters

$1,607.40 for both front casters

Or

Here’s a pretty decent looking caster from Harbor Freight for $7.99

Heck, you could buy 200 of them, you’d have spares!!!

And they have brakes!!

2621-0VGA

5" SWIVEL TROLLEY CASTER WITH BRAKE

$7.99

Or

Set of Four Mille Miglia Sport Alloy wheels +

Four Pirelli P7000 Supersport performance radials

Mounted, balanced, delivered to my door for…….

$1014.84

You’d have $592.56 left over, you could probably get

lunch at the Siemen’s Café!

Quote on tires courtesy of Tirerack.com

Contributed by HT, sometimes, after a mugging, the person assaulted

doesn’t want to testify for fear of retribution!!!

The “GOUGES” of the Month

03/26/2004

Ok, this is a test to determine if you’ve been in the Biomed field too long. My co-workers disagreed on the gouge factor for this part.

It’s a shouldered screw, would you pay $200 for a set of lugnuts?

About 1 ½” by 3/16”

GE/Critikon $38.70

Contributed by Antoinette Harmon

Summa Health System

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I did a web search for this component and although I didn’t get an exact match,

I got pretty close for about $18.

Contributed by Anson Sheck

Summa Health System

The “GOUGES” of the Month

12/23/2003

Hi Curt,

This is the belt, we found one with same specification except it was narrower, Another vendor gave us the belt.

Philips would not sell us the belt, we had to exchange the collimator at a cost of $22000 US or send are collimator

for repair. I didn’t ask for a repair price because of the down time. I am waiting to for some explanations from Philips

to see if they have a valid reason not to sell some of the components for the collimator. We were on site visit last week

with Philips because we are shopping for a DR unit and I brought this up and they are checking with Holland to get some explanation. I will keep you informed.

Thanks,

This contributor asked to remain anonymous!

Ok, so a part someone else was willing to give away was going to be responsible for a $22,000 expense.

Now there’s a partnership with a vendor!!!!

********************************************************************************************************

I just received my renewal for a parts agreement for my 24 GE/Ohmeda/Datex Rascal Anesthetic Gas monitors.

Last year's price was $980.04 each - a total of $23,500 per year.

The renewal price (since the acquisition by GE) has increased to $3,504 each ($84,096 per year)

This is a 358% price increase in one year!

My question is this - was Datex / Ohmeda that bad at pricing, or is GE price gouging?

(By the way - they just made up our minds - we are retiring the rascals, but not buying GE. We'll be adding gas monitoring capabilities to our Philips/HP monitors. Philips is very customer, and BMET-friendly.)

Patrick K. Lynch, CBET, MBA

Director, BioMedical Engineering

Northside Hospital

1000 Johnson Ferry Rd.

Atlanta, GA 30342

********************************************************************************************************

From our good friends at Philips!

I just love it when a merger/acquisition has such a positive impact on the bottom line.

Here’s an RF tool that probably cost two dollars to make, we recently ordered it not realizing the

price tag was $633.94, yes that’s right, $633.94. OK, it’s NOT RIGHT, it’s just the amount they chose to gouge us for.

It’s real high tech, the small opening on the disengage end hooks on to the antenna lead inside the

telemetry pack to facilitate its removal. Could you use a paperclip you ask?

UNBELIEVEABLE!!!

Next up we have the Philips torque driver. It appears to be a real bargain after the RF tool.

It was a mere $452.03. Of course you don’t get a bit with it that will fit the screw that needs torqued to

this precision. You need to grind the snot out of one to get adequate clearance to reach the screw.

But, what would you expect for a $450.00 expense. It’s getting harder and harder to tell

the good guys from the bad guys. We found this tool on the web for less than $200.

We’ve had a habit of ordering from HP/Agilent/Philips without verifying pricing because

there was, at one time, a fair amount of trust on our part. We’re over it!

Holy rip-off Batman!!!!

The “GOUGES” of the Month

11/01/2003

Here is a good one. A bulb for the Simulator Room Collimator in Cancer Center
from Siemens will cost you $330.00 but from Bulbtronics the exact same bulb, by
the way Siemens sends you the bulb in the original OSRAM box, from Bulbtronics
will cost you a mere $6.57. How's that for a mark-up. Here is the picture of
the bulb. Siemens part #3047701 Bulbtronics Part # OS64156
 
 
William "Bill" Mohr
Biomedical Engineering
Nacogdoches Medical Center
Email: bill.mohr@tenethealth.com
 

Don’t feel too bad Bill, I ordered a six pack from Siemen’s and they billed me $288.50.

Did you see their can of oil below?

*******************************************************************************

And another unhappy camper!!! Poor guy thought service was there for, uh, service.

We own 4 of the 1400HG medical grade UPS's, and I just changed the
batteries in all of them, they are used for our eye surgery machines. The
ground connections inside the UPS were loose, and the plug end connections
were also loose. After testing I noticed I couldn't get a steady ground
resistance on one of the units and then found that the ground of the
receptacles (ground pin part) was loose, I couldn't get a steady reading.
I checked this on all units and found it to be a common problem with them.
The receptacles are Eagle medical grade duplex receptacles.
 
I contacted Tripplite in the U.S. and our local Canadian branch and they
were not willing to help, they wouldn't follow up with phone calls, or
give me any good answers from my emails, or do anything for me except
recommend that I exchange them for newer models at 3/4 the price that we
already paid. The ground pin problem is a factory problem since these
units don't have electrical devices plugged and unplugged from them
regularly.
 
I also complained about the loose grounds in the plug and connections
inside the unit, they had no comment. Lots of the screws were not tight
on the power receptacles, I was able to pull a neutral wire out of the
receptacle without loosening the screw. Overall I think tripplite UPS's
are not well made and there customer service needs help. I wouldn't
recommend there company or buy there product again.
 
Shaun Epp, C.E.T.
Biomedical & Electronic Technologist
Misericordia Health Centre
 
**************************************************************************************************

And another,

Another wall of shame price gouge, this time by Invivo. Nice to see

they're carrying on the fine MDE tradition.

Battery for MDE Prism vital signs monitor P/N E2700-37SE7 Cost $125.00

Same battery from Unipower Batteries P/N B11173 Cost $ 17.58

Guess you have to pay for those mergers some way.

This is another price gouge found by Michael Sollecito

The “GOUGE” of the Month Preview?

10/09/2003

Think back to when the sales folks were bringing in donuts talking about how they wanted to “Partner” with the hospital. Where are they today? Their interpretation of a partnership must be somewhat different than everybody else’s.

Attached are 2 digital photos of our Invivo Millenia 3500 Neonatals. We have 9

of these units, purchased sometime in 2000.

We experienced several failures of the displays during the warranty period,

and since that time all of the monitors have developed the colored vertical

lines that can be seen in the picture. Some have only a half-dozen lines, some,

like this one have a distracting amount. Invivo wants $1000 for the 10.5"

display panel, shown in the second photograph. Actually, they also wanted an

additional $750 for the updated driver board, but our NICU manager got them to

throw in the driver board after complaining to them about the cost. Or if you

want, they will do the repair for about $1250. I don't think the price would be

so much of a concern if this was a single random failure, however 100% of our

units have developed this problem!

The one with the tape indicating a vertical line down the center was one we

replaced during warranty. In retrospect, with only one line, it's probably

better than most of the ones we currently have in service!

Jim Berger

Jim sent me a perfectly good JPG, BUT

Picture not available due to idiot dunce programmers, half assed code creators, software that almost works and features that might actually work in the next revision. The last bug free program I used????

Maybe CopyIIPC, maybe PFS Write but then…..

the GOD AWFUL WINDOWS environment was created.

Dilbert sums IT up…

If you’d like to email me regarding this topic, don’t you dare try and sneak in any of those system threatening email attachments those IT BOYS are talking about, as a matter of fact I would prefer you print out the email, put it in an envelope and mail it to me, nope, got that Anthrax potential there, just go out on yer front porch and scream real loud. I’ll be a listenin!!!!

Have you noticed the shrinking volume of posts lately. You can credit an IT professional somewhere for that. In their effort to reduce Spam they have also filtered out many users abilities to post to Biomedtalk. So let’s see, I forward the post home so I can email from there, where’s that damned spoon?

I'm sorry, but are they all morons? It's a rhetorical question.

My work here is done!!!!!

******************************************************************************

To whom to may concern,
 
Could you post this anonymously for me on the wall of shame? Picture of
the part has been included. The length of the part is about 8 inches to the
point where the copper lines turn up. Then it is about 7 inches to the
joined square looking connectors (one line has a yellow tag on it). The
diameter is about 1.25 inches.
 
This part goes on a GE Advantx LCA-C system. The P/N is 2184070-2,
price is $8,735. This is called a rotating union and allows cooling water
to pass to the x-ray tube. I assume that it is mounted inside the L/U arm
where it goes into the C arm.

**********************************************************************************

Curt;
 
I was working at Battle Creek Health System in Battle Creek, MI and had to
have the D2 board replace in a Digital Flouro system. When I called
Marconi/Picker - prior to the purchase by Philips - Marconi quoted the price
at $29,000.00; my second source for the part was $9,000.00 in Picker
packaging.
 
Just thought I would add to the wall.
 
Thanks for keeping up the good works, lets get the OEM's to see the errors
of their ways.
 
 
Chris Jones, Sr. BMET MCP
Imaging Diagnostics, Inc.
Hendersonville, TN. 37075

**********************************************************************************

See the attached picture of the lid closed switch on a Becton Dickinson

model Clay Adams Compact 2. The Becton Dickinson price is $54.80. The

same switch was purchase from Digikey for $1.23. I think this goes a

bit beyond a healthy profit margin and goes straight to gouging.

Submitted by Michael Sollecitto, MJH

Michael sent a much better image than this, see above, don’t get me started.

The “RANTS” of the Month?

07/01/2003

OK, It’s been awhile. The following are observations

passed on from various service folks who are

“Mad as Hell”

Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 11:22:13 -0400

From: "Kauffman, Mike" <KauffmanM@READINGHOSPITAL.ORG>

Subject: Schematics

Mikes on a rant regarding the concept of a vendor deciding what service content we should receive. I believe it’s in our best interest to support him in compiling this list. Please take a minute to review your library of service docs a send Mike information on vendors that provide documentation inadequate to allow us to do our jobs. The next time you’re asked for your input on a purchase, ask for the service manual and educate us on those who don’t measure up!!!

http://hometown.aol.com/biomedtalk/manuals.html

The reason is that they want to make more money and unless we fight to get this information they WILL make more money in service and we will LOSE our edge on repairing equipment. I would rather hear the truth instead of the bull about something being proprietary. If someone has violated a patent due to this information then they should sue the other company. If companies think we will use their manuals to redesign the equipment and put them out of business they are crazy. It is all about less support for in-house and more items being shipped to them for repair and billing!

I hate to keep repeating this but I am watching our field change too rapidly in the direction of non-service. It is the #1 issue facing in-house departments today. Unless we as a group fight the battle, the front line staff in our departments will be needed less and less and less.

Mike Kauffman

(A subject that just fires me up!! Sorry) I even dedicated a web page to it.)

http://hometown.aol.com/biomedtalk/manuals.html

mkauff2556@aol.com

On Wed, 18 Jun 2003 13:56:28 -0400 Brian Murphy comments, OK, I have been on hold for Steris

tech support for one hour now. They have to have the worst hold time of any company.

Who beats them?

Brian Murphy <Krsmed@AOL.COM>
 

Yeah, they used to be very good with phone calls. That was before they bought Amsco. The call center's in Erie now, not Ohio. Spoke to our new Steris Rep. last week and he says he gets complaints about the hold time at

every account. Let's hope there's a fix in the future.

"Adams, Leroy" ladams@PMMCTR.ORG
 

No contest. I believed they are holding the record for the worst hold time of any company.

One of the reason why we bought DSDs unfortunately, we still have two System 1s. remaining.

Paulo, Danny" <Danny.Paulo@LPIHOC.COM

I constantly experience the same problem and no, I don't think anyone beats them. Does anyone have the email address of one of the Steris "HIGHER UP" Executives? If we send him/her a few of these problem reports that get posted here maybe something would get done to correct the situation. I'm sure Steris doesn't want to get any worse of a reputation then they already have.

Dick Felton <jobbinit@HOTMAIL.COM>
 
 
Well, at least you’re all getting great pricing on the lids and trays that fail 
due to their design flaws.

Like Mr. West's reply from Roper (almost next door to us), we also have several repeating maladies with our PCA-II's. The most common problem we're having is with the AC power supplies. Since they are a separate component of the pump they get dropped and banged around to the point of needing continuing replacement. And, in their marketing wisdom, Baxter sells the replacement AC module as a kit with replacement batteries. So you have to buy both the AC adapter and the batteries(at a "Wall-of-shame" eligible $180.00 per kit[Gov price])! We are talking a simple AC transformer the plugs into the wall like for your cell phone.

Don't need the batteries you say? Then the AC module by itself is over $200.00!! Even the area Rep couldn't explain why the module by itself costs more than the kit.

Another common problem we're having is the magnet on the syringe case seems to get lost. The missing magnet renders the pump useless until Biomed intervenes. The receptacles that receives the AC module seems to have tendency to come loose which requires you to disassemble to re-tighten. These are not difficult problems, more like annoyances.

Benton, Terrence" <Terrence.Benton@MED.VA.GOV

I have one for "The Wall". Philips wants $432.00 for a battery that is

available from at least two major battery vendors for less than $70.00.

Perhaps the Philips battery is gold plated and comes gift wrapped.

Walsh, John" <jwalsh@SOMERSET-HEALTHCARE.COM

How about Stryker Corp. asking $350.00 for pillow speakers to attach to

their Med/Surg beds. Basic units, all they do is nursecall and TV.

Jerrold Williams <jwilliams@MUSKOGEEHEALTH.COM

How aboutg Alcon charging a $3,600 travel charge to PM one phaco.

I live about 2 hours north of New York City. Instead of sending the NYC guy to

my account they send the guy from buffalo which is about 6 hours away. For what ever reason

I am in his area. So the 12 hour round trip cost at 300 an hour is $3,600.00.

I complained but got no where.

Brian Murphy <Krsmed@AOL.COM

How about Siemens charging $4000/year/unit for an annual license agreement

to get a password to allow a BMET to do the services he was trained for at

a Siemens service school ($1000/day, 5-days) for the Acuson Sequoia

diagnostic ultrasound systems!

Jon Mickletz <jfmickle@LANCASTERGENERAL.ORG

How about GE charging $5241 for a rebuilt 9" black and white TV monitor for a gamma camera?

We're supposed to be getting a $2100 credit, but I'll believe it when I see it.

SMcna39074@aol.com

My personal favorite (recurring) lately has been the Cross Arm Brake

Handle Upgrade kit for an OEC (ge) 9600 (and 9800?) C-Arm. The cost is

$464 for something that I think was a poorly designed (considering how it

is used and the leverage a Tech will impose on it). But because it was

operational throughout it's intended life cycle of 366 days we gotta

pay....that's the Brakes.

later...jw

John West <j-wdistributers@JUNO.COM

The “GOUGE” of the Month?

03/09/2003

Siemens Cathcor

Hard drive, Controller, CPU

CPU Pentium 233, Siemens $7000/Second source $685

2.1 Gb SCSI Drive Siemens $1659/Second source $199

SCSI Controller Siemens $771/Second source $35

*********************************************

I received an email from GE indicating this Tomo Arm Locking mechanism
 was expensed improperly. I referred them back to Carl and this was his 
response. I don’t doubt GE corrected this problem, however now Carl has
 the unfortunate task of trying to determine if a credit was ever issued
 back to the appropriate account. I have spent hours trying to track down
 parts improperly expensed, expensed to the wrong account or expensed to 
the wrong cost center. I have a dollar threshold that I’ll devote x 
amount of resources to. This would get one follow-up phone call to AP.
 
 
 Curt,
To the best of my knowledge, our hospital still has not received their
refund coupon from GE. However, I checked today and GE did correct the
price discrepancy on their automated price check system. The original
price for the part was $380 and it now list for $140. Still a pretty hefty
markup, but better than before. Hopefully, this is enough information for
you. Please let me know if you need anything else from us. Thanks!
 
Carl Lemon
603-332-3100 x8285
Fax 603-332-3774

***************************************

And another alternate part source!

I saw your gouge on the wall of shame and thought I would pass along this 
information. I don't remember the price but I think it was a couple hundred 
dollars. We have bought several of them so I know they will sell to you. 
Maybe if we all share our sources we can stop some of the gouging. Good luck.
 
Portescap U.S. Inc.
Main: 516-234-3900 Other: Arleen x128
Fax: 516-234-3986
 
36 Central Ave
Hauppauge, NY 11788
 
Note: 
Manuf. of high torque motors used in Philips Scopo Towers.
 
Al Dodd 
Clinical Engineering
Virginia Mason Medical Center
206-625-7373 ext 62221
 
*************************************************************************

And another alternate part source!

Ethicon wants $1,859.00 for a Harmonic Scalpel exchange.

Advanced Surgical Services 800-843-8730

or

BPI East 800-568-9878

The “GOUGE” of the Month?

02/10/2003

$22,000 or $285

This 1.2 GB hard drive for a Toshiba EPS 30 digital fluoro system has
a list price of 22,000 DOLLARS. Part number 97202205-01 includes two
other drives used in some of the systems. For the price of 22K, you get
a 1 in 3 chance of a drive that will work in your system. Alpine
Solutions had one for $285.
 
Frank Rienstra
Metropolitan Hospital
Grand Rapids, MI
 

The “GOUGES” of the Month?

01/12/2003

How greedy is greedy?

We feel the following item is a prime candidate for the Wall of Shame.
Fortunately for us, GE Medical Systems provided us with all of the evidence we
needed. The item, a Tomo Arm Locking mechanism was back ordered by GE. When it
was delivered to our hospital, the manufacturer sent it with their Invoice for
GE. GE was charged $31.86 for the part. A firm believer in treating their
customers fairly, GE "only" charged our hospital $380.00 for the part.
 
The Biomed Guys
Kinetic Biomedical
@ Frisbie memorial Hospital
Rochester, NH 03867
 
*****************************
 
I received an email from GE indicating this was expensed improperly. 
I referred them back to Carl and this was his response
 
***********************************
Curt,
 
To the best of my knowledge, our hospital still has not received their
refund coupon from GE. However, I checked today and GE did correct the
price discrepancy on their automated price check system. The original
price for the part was $380 and it now list for $140. Still a pretty hefty
markup, but better than before. Hopefully, this is enough information for
you. Please let me know if you need anything else form us. Thanks!
 
Carl Lemon
603-332-3100 x8285
Fax 603-332-3774
 
 
 
**************************************************************************
 
And from Paul Harris,
 He was looking to replace a muffin fan, you know, the little boxer
 like device that moves a little air. Well, the MFG must have thought
 he needed WHOLE HOUSE AIR CONDITIONING.
 
 
 
 Curt,
I found the replacement fan at my local electronics store for $~12.00. Same
CFM ....same size...just no finger guard...and you have to mount it pointing
in the right direction. I saved my customer a LOT ($350+) of money....even
counting my time to verify that it was the right one.
 
Bayer Part #473745
Fan
238/248 Blood Gas Analyzers
Paul Harris

The “GOUGES” of the Month?

11/24/2002

Is it a $3500.00 floormat?

No, it’s the dreaded collision sensor!

From: Francini, Jerry , Summa Health System, Akron, Ohio
Sent: Monday, October 28, 2002 8:59 AM
To: Doles, Curt
Subject: RE: Collision sensor

Toshiba 7200 Nuclear Camera

Collimator contact mat, Part# BSX44-1100E.PRICE  $250.00.

Collimator contact mat cushion, Part # YZM7070,PRICE  $  3,200.00.

BOTH PARTS NEEDED FOR COLLIMATOR MAT REPLACEMENT.

IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE COLLISION!

****************************************

Next we have……

OK, It’s only $100.00, we’re sort of numb to the”smaller” gouges!

Keyboard Elastomer from a HP/Agilent/Philips Pagewriter XL

M1700-47310

Submitted by Wayne Unger

Summa Health System

Our thanks to a couple of vendors who are doing

“The right thing”

Click here for the details!!!

The “GOUGES” of the week. 9/15/2002

And a couple of vendors that are not.

Attached is the picture of the thermal printer used in the Steris System
one, Steris says you can not get this model printer any longer and the
replacement is $786.00 which includes a pc control board. I found the
correct old style printer at Reptron Electronics for $36.00.
 

From the desk of Terry Doukas

tdoukas@chsomaha.org  

And from Dave Bond

Curt:  I have an addition for the wall but I am not sure how to enter it .  We have a Fischer  Vascular  Room

in our Surgery department. The room includes X-Ray and ceiling mounted C-Arm , and an articulated table.

Last month I needed to replace the table top cushion and Fischer wanted 3994 dollars ($3994.00) .

I got the cushion custom designed from another company for 240 dollars  ($240.00) .

I can supply details if you want.     

Dave Bond

bond1347@aol.com

Thanks to Dave and Terry for these contributions, I asked Dave to send me a picture of the

$240 upholstery job, comparing it to the $4000 one. I realize you all have better things to do than

to keep me amused with pictures and stories!

The “GOUGES” of the week. 8/27/2002

Thanks to Shawn, Kevin and Troy, sorry it took so long to post.

Here is  picture of a "Power Cord Assembly" for a Skytron Surgical Bed.  The cable is 15 feet long, and has an attached power plug.  The charge from Skytron is $220.00.

(Could it be because it was made in Japan?)  This was submitted by

Shawn Kennel, BMET III at Northside Hospital, Atlanta, GA.

And from Kevin Lautenschlager CBET;

The replacement tape measure for a GE AMX4 Plus collimator is $138.00 
 part number 46-250207P20 This is a 6 foot tape measure with the first 8 
inches cut off. I replaced it with a tape measure refill for $3.49 cut off 
8 inches and replaced the end tab. What are they thinking?
 
Kevin Lautenschlager CBET
Children's Hospital Oakland 
 

And from Troy Gillette;

I once paid $441 for a printhead for an IBM EKG machine that was 
Manufactured by Texas Instruments.This printhead listed for just $7.00 from
 Texas Instruments, but of course they were unable to sell one to me for
 due to copyright protection issues.
 
Troy Gillette
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital 
New Brunswick, NJ

The “GOUGE” of the week. 7/20/2002

It’s been a slow week!

Does $287 seem a little steep for a 55 gallon drum of oil?

How about that same price for a liter?

Must be the GERMAN technology!!!

Is there a second source VENDOR out there that has a good cross-reference for these EXTREMELY OVERPRICED LUBRICANTS?

I have one OEC document with cross-references I’d be willing to post or fax if

anyone is interested.

I appreciate all the contributions, suggestions and support. I just wish I had started collecting this data sooner.

Curt D.

The “GOUGES” of the week. 7/8/2002

OK, we found an alternate vendor, he’d like to sell us the part we need but is prohibited by, guess who?

Thanks to Zeke Brown, Northside Hospital, Atlanta for this submission. 
In the Laboratory, we have a couple of Vitros 950 Chemistry Analyzers. They
use a bearing like the one in the attached picture. It is manufactured by
Kaydon Corporation, whose price to us would be $100, if they didn't have a no-sale
agreement with Johnson & Johnson not to sell them to end users.
 
So J&J is selling these jewels for $1,368.21 each.
 

Apparently quality control levels are not tied to the price of the components!

This is an XSC+ controller card for a Picker PQ CT

Scanner. I know CT can be expensive, this board is $6225. Bad enough, but

after spending half an hour to install it, I find out the board was

defective and wouldn't communicate to load its software. When all was said

and done, two hours of labor to leave a scanner in the same condition as

when I started.

Thanks To: Kalusa, Kim [Kim.Kalusa@med.va.gov]

Once again proving it can be very rewarding to shop around.

 Beckman/Coulter wants $2600 for an Okidata 590 dot matrix printer - I
obtained one from our usual IT vendor for a bit over $519.00
 
Thanks To; Bill Snyder
Woodland Healthcare
530.662.4964 x 4610

Repair Exchange, why would you want to deflate your CASH COW?

 
 
Here is a Datascope Pulse Oximetry Cable. PN 0600-00-0061. Sells for $1840.00 (after 20% discount). 
They do not rep/exchange them. And one bend or pull can ruin them - we go through about 4 per year.
 
Patrick Lynch, CBET, MBA
BioMedical Engineering
Northside Hospital
Atlanta
 
Corinne Felty responded below;
 
I don't have a candidate for the "Wall of Shame", but I do have a company that might be able 
to help someone. I saw that you had a Datascope Pulse Oximetry Cable (PN 0600-00-0061) on 
your wall, posted by Patrick Lynch. American IV Products claims to repair all models of 
Datascope sensors. Their phone number is 800-720-5011. They have been a great source for 
all my SPo2 repairs and they do it at a flat rate of $69.
 
Corinne Felty
BMET
St. Luke's Hospital
Bluefield, WV

It’s a module level repair, we can save the power cord and part of the operators manual. If the automotive industry operated in this manner we’d need to replace our cars’ engine when it was time for an oil change.

Click here for GOUGE

Here's one from our friends at G E Medical. Granted we all know anything associated with making x-rays is expensive, but...... This is a power supply for the kernel of an Advantx Generator. List price over $1700..ouch...but...they no longer stock this item. I called Power One in nearby Camarillo. They'd be glad to repair it, but they'd have to ship this custom and now obsolete item to Mexico for repair and it would take six weeks. Back to GEMS...Part has been replaced to the "module level". Now its $3447 and back-ordered! How many Advantx rooms out there? and they're back-ordered?

Thanks To: Kalusa, Kim [Kim.Kalusa@med.va.gov]

The “GOUGES” of the week. 7/1/2002

Ethicon wants $1,859.00 for a Harmonic Scalping!!

Click here for GOUGE

Mark Melvin, CBET mchbiomed@marianhospital.org

Marian Community Hospital, Carbondale PA

Does anyone know of a vendor that repairs Ethicon Ultracision Harmonic

Scalpel handpieces? Ethicon wants $1,859.00 for a new handpiece and

there is no trade-in.

We have a Sequoia that needs a monitor, here is the info on the monitor:

BARC Belgium, MCD214ACU - Model

V9505121 – Part, dom 1/99

14" clr s, 422015151766

8242201 part # $5,848.00 (exchange)

Photo is on the way, I know you’re all interested to see what a $5,800 monitor looks like.

******************************************

Thanks to Kevin Carpenter [CARPENTERKE@email.chop.edu]

Kevin, Sorry about the omission!

******************************************

Here is a replacement that’s $2,158 less

Thanks to Bill Phillips [bill@4sonora.com] for this reference

Sequoia Monitor

$3,690 with exchange

Sonora Medical Systems

888-476-6672

P.S. I’m not verifying the compatibility of this replacement, that would be your job!

Damned Lawyers!!

The “GOUGES” of the week. 6/12/2002

From the fine folks at Leica! Motor for CM1800 Tissue Processor, $690.70

I’m seeing a consistent theme with Leica parts, this motor was one of their more charitably priced items. Whenever I get my monthly financials and see Leica, I know it’s a four digit order.

Click here for GOUGE

Circuit board for the same tissue processor for a mere $2,047.00

Click here for image

Printhead for a Linvatec/Toshiba Thermal Printer Linvatecs’ tier depot repair puts this at $1,539.00

Tier depot service is a good deal the same way a service contract is. Inflate the price of a common failure above the price of the contract and now anyone can point out the wisdom in the contract!

Click here for image

The prinhead from Toshiba is $460.00, that’s $1,079 to install assuming Linvatec doesn’t get a better discount than I do! What are the odds on that one?

Plexiglas syringe holder, $1,139.00

Click here for GOUGE

The good news? All three of ours failed in warranty.

The “GOUGE” of the week. 6/03/2002

Siemens Fluorospot Keyboard

Click here for GOUGE

$4,243.50, for a keyboard, I’m sorry, I MUST have heard that incorrectly.

I’m sure part of the expense for this keyboard is the six sets of keycaps in six different languages because French/Chinese/German might be the primary language in some of the more remote US hospitals?

Pair this up with their $1,197.00 trackball and you have an overpriced pointing device that speaks six languages for a mere $5,440.50.

Submitted by Chuck Tyree

mailto:Tyreec@Summa-health.org

Summa Health System

The “GOUGE” of the week. 5/27/2002

Mugging #1

John A. Mikolaitis Sr, Systems Specialist PMSNA informed me the cone motor is approximately $1,100. Checking back with Phil, he paid $1,574.46 for Philips part #451212953691. I apologize for the error, it was an honest mistake. Phil sends his apologies also. Thanks John for pointing out our error!

The Philips motor below moves a cone in and out for $1,574.46

Click here for GOUGE

This motor is used to drive the cone in and out of a Philips fluoro

tower. Its cost from Philips is approximately $1,574.46. I think this is outrageous.

PhilMininni PMininni@nhsnet.org

For a frame of reference, the motor below, a Nordskog, 36V 3/4" dia. shaft

moves a golf cart around the course with all the beer two guys can fit in two bags for $589.00

Click here for GOUGE

The “GOUGE” of the week. 5/27/2002

Mugging #2

It’s a bag of Lifesavers for $459, no wait, they are the all important cone seals from Gambro for $46 each!!

Click here for image

Here are 5 pair of cone seals from Gambro for $459.78. Maybe it's the two colors?

 
Ray Neiford
rmneiford@health-partners.org
Biomedical Services
St. Rita's Medical Center
Lima, OH 45801

The “GOUGE” of the week. 5/27/2002

Mugging #3

It’s a $350.00 AC Adapter, I can’t help it, it’s shocking

Click here for GOUGE

Here's one from the makers of the LTV1000 portable ventilator. A power supply (a.k.a. AC Adapter ) for the Pulmonetic Systems LTV1000, i.e. 13V/7A transformer, sells for $350. (very similar to Datascope's Passport power

supply for a mere $160)

And, to add insult to injury, that doesn't include the power cord! That is sold separately for an additional $20.

Just to be fair to Pulmonetic (were they fair with us at this price?) they did send a "free" power cord when I complained.

Tim Beute, CBET

Metropolitan Hospital

The “GOUGE” of the week. 5/20/2002

If you price something, say, 100 times its’ cost, what percentage is the markup? Careful placing that comma!

Click here for GOUGE

A float assy for a Leica TP 1050 tissue processor. The float clips onto a post (see top right corner) and as liquid
 in retort chamber rises, the magnet in the top center moves away from the hall effect sensor on the float
 sensor pcb, telling the instrument the retort is full. Float assy is all plastic (except for magnet).
 
You too can have one of these high quality beige plastic w/ matching coated magnet already inserted
 direct from Germany for only $505.00.
 
Contributed by Patrick M. Garrett, pgarrett@health-first.org
 
 

The “GOUGE” of the week. 5/12/2002