With the average lifespan of an EKG machine being around 7 to 10 years, it might have been a while since you were last in the market to purchase one. The EKG machines today aren’t the bulky pieces of medical equipment of the past. You can even buy 12 lead machines that are compact and portable.
You’ll also be glad to hear that prices have fallen over the last few years, and the optional features that you might have paid extra for before are likely to be considered standard now.
Still, most medical facilities are on tight budgets, and purchasing an EKG machine can be a significant investment. So it’s important that you not only find the best machine for the price but that it also matches the functionality that you require for your medical facility.
So as well as asking how much does an EKG machine cost, you’ll want to make some other considerations. ECG machines come with a wide range of different capabilities and options.
What to Consider Before Purchasing an EKG Machine
Features – All EKG machines work in the same fundamental way, but some will have advanced features to make the task easier or more efficient. PC-based EKG machines are becoming increasingly popular as a solution that does away with paper printouts. The electronically stored data can easily be uploaded to medical record management systems, making it a much more efficient option.
If you want additional features such as high resolution or touch screen, they will add to the cost.
Purchase New or Refurbished – Many hospitals shop for refurbished EKG machines as they are significantly less expensive. Professionally refurbished EKG machines from a trusted provider that come with warranties have been found to be very reliable. You’ll find that they don’t function or look anything different than a new machine but cost a lot less.
EKG Machine – Cost for a Base Model
Today, the standard device used in many medical facilities is the 12 lead EKG machine that includes six chest leads, three limb leads, and three augmented limb leads. These are simple, no-frills mid-range EKG machines that will do the job. These types of EKG’s are standard in most doctor’s offices, emergency rooms, and hospitals.
Even though we are discussing base model EKG machines, you’ll still want to aim for quality; if you go for a cheap model that records inaccurate data, it can result in life-threatening consequences for your patients.
A good quality base model machine has a price range between $1,500 to $4,000, depending on its functionality. Bear in mind this is for brand new machines; if you choose refurbished models on offer from a trustworthy provider, it will be less expensive.
Portable EKG Machines
There are certain times when a standard EKG machine isn’t suitable, and you need medical equipment that is more mobile or with a smaller footprint where space is at a premium. If this is the case, then you might want to consider a portable EKG. These are ideal for when out in the field or in an ambulance or other emergency vehicle. Some Portable EKG machines are designed to be used by patients with heart conditions for home use.
There is a wide range of portable EKG machines, from small handheld devices that can cost less than $500 to ones that connect to laptops and desktops that are around $1,000 to $2,000 in price. It all comes down to the machine’s functionality and complexity, and more advanced models can cost up to $3,000.
Many portable machines have the same capabilities as the standard 12 lead EKGs, but handheld devices and those in the lower price range will be limited in use though they will still provide accurate results.
Specialized and High-End EKG Machines
Though many medical facilities will only need a standard machine that measures resting EKG, some will need to perform a stress test on patients.
The machines used for stressing are designed to see how the patient’s heart responds to exercise. This requires a treadmill so that the patient can run or walk or sometimes a stationary bike to pedal. A stress test treadmill alone will cost around $7000; a full package with an EKG stress machine, treadmill, monitor, and cart is likely to cost anywhere from $13,000 – $20,000.
Another specialist machine is an EKG combined with spirometry functionality. Spirometry tests are used to evaluate lung health and diagnose several breathing disorders such as asthma and COPD. Resting EKG machines with spirometry upgrades typically cost between $3,000 to $7,000, but with advanced features they could cost more.
EKG Accessories
In addition to the cost of the EKG machine, don’t forget to budget for additional accessories. You’ll need to consider electrodes, cables, ECG paper, prep gels, and optionally an ECG cart.
Shopping for EKG Machines
With so many EKG machines available to choose from, it can be a daunting task to select the best one and find a reputable provider to purchase from. If you are looking for a trusted company with a proven track record in medical equipment sales explore our EKG range here, or please contact us if you have further questions.