Basic Shopping List for Opening up a Medical Practice
by Patrick C. Alguire, MD, FACP
Director, Education and Career Development
Although not as popular as it once was, a few physicians leaving residency training will enter solo practice. Of the many concerns and responsibilities when preparing to open an office is identifying the necessary equipment for an office practice. Patrick Malloy from Patrick Malloy & Company, Management and Planning Consultants has generated the following helpful list.
Business Office
Scanner
Fax Machine
Computers and Software
Printers
Desks and secretarial posture chairs for receptionist and/or secretary
Side chairs
Wastebaskets
Horizontal filing—shelves/cabinets
Electric typewriters
Printing calculator
Photocopier
Dictation transcriber
Answering machine
Bookkeeping equipment
Fireproof storage for accounts receivable
Secretarial organizers and trays
Instruments
Defibrillator
Glucometer
Wall-mounted mercury sphygmomanometers
Stethoscope
Wall-mounted otoscope/ophthalmoscope
Flashlight or wall-mounted unit
Tongue Blades/jar
Reflex hammer
Tuning forks
Cerumen remover
Syringe/plastic bib
Disposable vaginal specula/light source
Disposable sigmoidoscope/light source
Anoscopes
Suction set
Surgical instruments (if relevant)
Electrocardiogram/mounts
Thermometers/sterilizer
Cotton-tipped applicators/jar
Emesis basin
Laboratory Equipment
Allergy Kit or epi-pen
Pregnancy test kits
Microscope
Centrifuge (hematocrit/urine)
Hematocrit capillary tubes, sealer
WBC Chambers/pipettes
Sedimentation set
Incubator
Urinometer/dipsticks
Test tubes and racks
Microscope slides/cover slips
Bunsen burner/alcohol lamp
Gram-stain reagents
10% KOH
Saline
Refrigerator
Wax pencils
Urine culture sets
Laboratory timer
Blood drawing equipment
Strep screen kit
Stationery
Claim forms
Registration Forms
Consent Forms
Letterhead and envelopes
Note pads
Prescription pads
Business cards
School/back-to-work slips
Laboratory slips
Appointment calendar
Reception Room
Magazines and books (non-medical)
Upholstered arm chairs
Side tables and lamps
Magazine covers and wall rack
Plants, mirror, paintings
Children's area
T.V. VCR/DVD
Artwork
Medical Literature in different languages specific to area
Water Cooler
Examination Room
Examination table and stool
Waiting chairs or sofa
Eye chart
Wall cabinet
Physician's lamp
Clothes rack or hangers
Mirror
Screen or curtains
Scale
Artwork
Consultation Room
Executive desk and chair
Side chairs (3)
Bookcase
Credenza
Lamps
Wastebasket
Dictation machine
Supplies
Alcohol hand foam
Cloth gowns
Sheets-paper/fabric
Assorted syringes/needles
Assorted tapes
Assorted gauze pads
Alcohol pads
Iodine pads
Lubricating jelly
Examination gloves
Sterile gloves
Topical skin freeze
Hemostats
Soap dispenser
Bandaids
Patient Comfort Items
Facial tissues
Sanitary napkins
Aspirin/Acetominophen
Paper cups
Medication
Asprin
Nitroglycerin
Xylocaine
Oxygen tank
Morphine
Diphenhydramine
Dextrose 50%
IV set-up
Resuscitation kit
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