The Hidden Costs of Owning Ventilators: What Durable Medical Equipment Companies Need to Know
When durable medical equipment (DME) providers and healthcare facilities think about ventilators, the focus is often on patient outcomes — and rightly so. These life-sustaining machines are essential in both acute and long-term care settings. But there’s another side to ventilator management that’s often overlooked: the true cost of ownership.
At Trace Medical, we’ve seen firsthand how ventilator ownership — while seemingly cost-effective at first — can quickly become a burden. Between steep repair bills, servicing requirements, and storage logistics, many facilities and DMEs find themselves spending far more than anticipated. Today, we’ll explore the hidden costs of owning ventilators and what DMEs need to know.
The Real Costs of Owning a Ventilator
You might think owning your own fleet gives you more control, but the reality is often the opposite. Here are the key hidden costs DMEs and healthcare facilities need to consider:
1. Upfront Capital Investment
Purchasing a single high-quality ventilator can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on the model and features.
Buying in bulk can tie up valuable capital that could otherwise be allocated to other areas like staffing, expansion, or patient support services.
Equipment depreciates quickly — what you own today could be outdated in just a few years.
2. Ongoing Maintenance and Servicing
Ventilators require routine biomedical inspections and preventive maintenance, often every 6–12 months, to stay compliant.
Facilities that own ventilators must either maintain a qualified biomedical staff or outsource servicing — both of which come at a cost.
Missed or delayed maintenance can result in device malfunctions, which may lead to liability issues or regulatory penalties.
3. Repairs and Emergency Breakdowns
Repairs for ventilators aren’t just expensive; they can be unpredictable at times.
Parts shortages and manufacturer service delays can result in equipment downtime and delayed patient care.
Emergency repairs are often rushed and more expensive than scheduled servicing, impacting your operating budget.
4. Storage and Inventory Management
Owning ventilators means you’re responsible for safely storing, tracking, and rotating inventory.
Inactive ventilators sitting in storage still require servicing to remain functional and compliant.
Without a robust asset tracking system, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s ready for deployment and what isn’t.
The Risks of Owning Outdated Equipment
When you own, you’re locked into your current fleet. Over time, that can come with serious clinical and operational drawbacks:
Older ventilators may not meet current patient needs, especially as respiratory care becomes more specialized and advanced.
Outdated equipment may be less compatible with EMRs or other connected health systems.
You may also miss out on new features that support improved patient comfort, mobility, or weaning success rates.
Additionally, billing and reimbursement issues can arise when using older or discontinued models not covered by payers.
Why Renting Ventilators Makes More Sense
Trace Medical was built to solve these exact challenges. As a national leader in ventilator rentals, we help DMEs and healthcare facilities eliminate the logistical and financial burden of ownership, while delivering the latest equipment, ready for use — fast.
Here’s how:
1. Scalable Access Without the Upfront Cost
Renting allows you to scale up or down as patient demand changes — without spending capital on machines you may not always need.
You only pay for what you use, with no hidden acquisition or depreciation costs.
2. Maintenance and Service Included
Our ventilators come with full-service biomedical support, ensuring devices are always compliant and ready to deploy.
No need to maintain your own biomed staff or manage outsourced service contracts.
We take care of preventive maintenance, software updates, calibration, and repairs.
3. Stay Current with the Latest Ventilator Technology
Access to the newest models helps you stay clinically competitive and enhances patient outcomes.
No more aging equipment or worrying about when to replace an old machine — we handle that for you.
4. More Predictable Budgeting
Renting from Trace Medical gives you a predictable, fixed monthly cost, helping with budgeting and financial planning.
Avoid surprise repair expenses or emergency service calls.
Why Trace Medical?
We’re not just a ventilator rental company; we’re a partner in your respiratory care delivery. Here’s what sets us apart:
National reach with fast response times
24/7 support and asset tracking
Reliable, well-maintained equipment
Customized rental programs tailored to your needs
Whether you’re supporting acute patients, long-term care, or transitional home settings, Trace Medical gives you the flexibility, reliability, and clinical edge your team needs.
Rethink Ownership — Partner Smarter
Owning ventilators may seem like a good idea on paper, but the real-world costs add up fast — from expensive repairs to regulatory risks and operational inefficiencies.
By partnering with Trace Medical, you gain access to a ready-to-deploy fleet, full maintenance support, and the peace of mind that comes with working with the national leader in ventilator rentals.
Ready to simplify ventilator management and reduce costs?