Equipment costs. The neonatal intensive care unit and the modern obstetric unit.

In summary, the cost of equipment depends on a plethora of factors. In purchasing equipment, while cost is a major consideration, it should not be the sole determinant. Other major concerns include prepurchase evaluation opportunity, repair capabilities, breakdown frequency, capability for emergency repair, self-monitoring systems built into equipment, personnel education on the use of the equipment, other services offered by the company, trade-in capability, reliability of the company, and restrictions established by the Hospital's Standardization committee. The Emergency Care Research Institute is considered to be the "consumer's guide" for sophisticated hospital equipment and issues a publication called Health Devices, which reviews the results of their findings. Also the Medical Device Register is a single source of information on medical equipment and suppliers.