Dr Alfred Sparman has a three-pronged approach to dealing with the increase prices of medical supplies and equipment.
Keep the cost of patient care the same, round up patients and source cheaper supplies.
And this, he said, had been working at the Belleville, St Michael Sparman Clinic.
“Our prices we have kept the same because times are hard. We approached this NSRL [National Social Responsibility Levy] with a team effort. We called all our old patients who we have not seen for a while and brought them back into the fold; so by increasing the volume of patients we nullified that effect.”
The cardiologist believes that any price increase at this time would have a negative effect on his business.
“That would decrease the number of patients coming to me and I wouldn’t benefit,” he admitted. “So we have been bringing in these old patients and calling them and it has worked out good for us. We have gone to the point where we feel we have to take care of the patients’ needs. We feel if we increase prices it would put a load on the hospital and it will really affect patient care. I am very optimistic that in the future things will turn around.”
As to the increase in supplies and equipment brought about by the controversial tax, Sparman said his procurement team was sourcing the best prices.
“I tell them get me four prices and I choose the cheapest. We have suppliers all over the place in the US and China, so we have to make the business cost-effective.” (MB)
