{"id":5538,"date":"2022-07-01T15:37:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-01T15:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beckerpumps.com\/ca\/?p=5538"},"modified":"2025-02-19T22:11:50","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T22:11:50","slug":"repair-or-replace-your-medical-vacuum-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beckerpumps.com\/ca\/news\/repair-or-replace-your-medical-vacuum-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Repair or Replace Your Medical Vacuum System?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Making the right choice about repairing or replacing a pump ensures your medical vacuum system meets the NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code and safeguards your peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good maintenance decisions can minimize the upfront and long-term costs of equipment. This is especially true for life-sustaining technology, like a medical vacuum system. One of the most daunting judgments a healthcare facility manager faces involves the upkeep of older, potentially failing pumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dilemma is whether to repair or replace a medical vacuum pump. Even if you fix the pump, as the system limps along it may still fail, sacrificing reliability. However, a full pump replacement is a big decision that comes with significant upfront capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post will help you decide whether to repair or replace your existing medical vacuum system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical suction is vital to health care facilities and laboratories. The suction system aids caregivers during and after surgery to remove gases or liquids, allows technicians to sterilize medical equipment, and enables the high-vacuum conditions necessary for x-rays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having a medical vacuum system fail causes immense problems\u2014and the larger the hospital, the bigger and more complex the problem becomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any unplanned suction outage jeopardizes the safety of patients and the regulatory fallout can be devastating. Even a planned outage is complex, requiring a fleet of portable units to replace suction throughout a facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

REPAIRING A MEDICAL VACUUM PUMP<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For non-critical equipment, the repair versus replace question is simple: if the repair cost is more than the asset’s value, you replace it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

REPAIR COSTS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From a quote perspective, repairing a pump is less expensive than replacing the pump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But wait\u2014there\u2019s a lot of behind-the-scenes work and moving parts to consider such as time, labor, resources, and operational disturbance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The failing pump must be removed, then a temporary, working stand-in will need to be connected. The original pump must be reinstalled after the repair and the stand-in taken away. These tasks are not always simple or straightforward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LONG-TERM CONSIDERATIONS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The fact is, a repaired pump won\u2019t last as long as a new one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another primary consideration when it comes to repairs is a medical vacuum system’s control panel. A control panel is the “brain” of a system and needs upgrading just like old pump parts. But panels over 10 years old often have parts that cannot be replaced anymore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, it’s likely that if one pump needs repairing, all the pumps in the system may need attention. Pumps operating under NFPA 99 should have similar run hours and therefore, similar wear and tear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

REPLACING A MEDICAL VACUUM PUMP<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The most obvious drawback to replacing a medical vacuum system is the high cost. However, a facility faces significant impacts if a system is replaced too late. Consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n