What should I ask about an orthotics clinic’s scanner and casting equipment?
Ask what each scanner and casting tool is, how old it is, whether it is owned, leased or financed, how it has been maintained and what happens when it fails. Also ask who is trained to use it, whether the software and patient scans are transferable, and what replacement would cost.
Start with an inventory of the equipment: scanners, casting supplies, milling or grinding tools, and the computers that run them. For each item, ask when it was bought, what it cost, whether it is paid off and whether it works reliably. Ask to see it used on a real patient, not only demonstrated.
Then ask about support. Does a service contract exist, who handles repairs, and how long does the clinic go without its equipment when something breaks? Ask about software licences and whether patient scans are stored in a format you can keep. If the licence belongs to the seller personally, ask your lawyer how it will pass to you.
Finally, think about the future. Technology in this field changes, so ask what upgrades the clinic has planned and what staff think of current tools. Ask whether any devices are lent by suppliers. Your accountant can help you compare repair costs with replacement, and a qualified technician can give an independent view. Ask how the clinic would cope if the main scanner were out of action for a week, and whether the seller has ever had to borrow or rent a replacement. Note the answer carefully, since downtime means lost appointments and unhappy referrers.
Key takeaways
- List every device with its age, ownership status and repair record.
- Watch the equipment used on an actual patient.
- Ask whether software licences and patient scans transfer to you.
- Compare repair costs with replacement with your accountant’s help.
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentEquipment valuation: How to do it
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentEquipment purchase financing for entrepreneurs
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
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