Purchasing lasers and related accessories.

Laser use is proliferating in medicine and surgery and will soon be a standard part of many medical and surgical specialties. As with any relatively new technology, laser technology will continue to improve and new systems will be introduced that will affect both the quality and the cost of health care delivery. Striking the correct balance between quality and cost under the realities of the prospective payment system has added a new twist to the capital equipment, decision-making process. In this cost-quality equation, the purchasing manager figures prominantly, for a properly negotiated capital equipment contract can reduce both short and long-term operating expenses, and thus increase return on investment. As the resident expert in contract negotiations, therefore, the purchasing manager is a logical choice to any team selected by administration to evaluate the merits of a piece of laser equipment.