For cruise operators, mapping out long-term capital expenditures (capex) on healthcare is just one segment of their overall capex planning needs. Healthcare capex planning is crucial to maintaining adequate onboard staff, facilities, medicines, supplies, medical equipment and more, and for ensuring compliance with global health and safety regulations.

Capex planning also plays a critical role in mitigating the many risks inherent to cruising, from disease outbreaks to medical emergencies, which can potentially impact an operator’s insurance costs, revenue and customer reputation. 

With experience in every aspect of healthcare at sea, VIKAND has a deep understanding of the unique budget and planning needs that go into meeting a cruise ship’s medical requirements.

What Kind of Planning Does it Encompass?

Healthcare capex planning for a cruise line involves effectively preparing the funds, resources and time required to meet each ship’s medical needs. Beyond keeping guests and crew healthy and other goals, the capex process can result in loss minimisation, competitive advantages, budget optimisation and more.

Two VIKAND departments in particular are essential to this process of planning to reduce risk: Biomedical Operations and Supply Chain, which work interdependently.

Lifecycle Management for Maritime Medical Equipment

As we explored in a recent insight piece, VIKAND’s experienced biomedical teams play a crucial role in keeping maritime operators running. However, as a company dedicated to being proactive instead of reactive, our greatest value comes in the form of long-range planning. This means handling the full lifecycle of each biomedical device, from selection to eventual replacement. Critical equipment services include:

• Remote troubleshooting service support available 24/7.
• Staff education – in person, virtually or through video tutorials.
• Parts inventory management.
• Device end of life management, so we can forecast when equipment support will no longer be available, allowing for early replacement planning.
• Monitoring and responding to manufacturer recalls, FDA and CE alerts for all biomedical equipment, including diagnostic imaging equipment.
• Assisting with equipment software updates as they are released by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
• Capex forecasting, strategic planning and recommendations for equipment acquisition, device asset tracking and replacement sourcing.

In this sense, we end up acting as a C-suite extension, with capex planning being just one dimension of our biomedical service and the value we deliver to clients.

Strategic Sourcing and Capex Forecasting

The other department critical to capex planning is procurement – more specifically, our medical supply chain. VIKAND’s global network can source all biomedical equipment, formulary needs and more, as well as provide capex forecasts.

As your procurement partner, VIKAND can directly source everything from advanced imaging systems to oxygen, submit proposals for their approval, develop alternative financing options and create three-year capital expenditure planning cycles. And with exclusive distribution agreements with several manufacturers, we can save clients real money.

Our medical supply chain can also meet a ship’s complete formulary needs. This means managing onboard inventory, including backordered/unavailable items, and reviewing replenishment orders to ensure client ships receive what they need – not only to stay compliant, but also to meet clinical needs.

Furthermore, we carry out an annual review process to ensure maintenance of best practice and mandatory flag state requirements.

VIKAND is Here to Support You

If your cruise line would like to learn more about capex planning support from VIKAND, we’re here to help. Our biomedical, supply chain and medical teams work together to deliver strategic recommendations for equipment acquisition, lifecycle management, clinical asset tracking, and sourcing of replacement equipment when needed.

Together, we will find solutions that meet your needs, lower risk, optimise budgets and maximise the value of your onboard healthcare investments. Visit our website to learn more and get in touch with the VIKAND team.