The service offered by a device manufacturer is a decisive criterion for private-practice physicians when selecting a spirometer (lung function measuring device). This is what a study recently commissioned by medical device manufacturer MEDIKRO GmbH has found. As part of this study, conducted by the MIK market research institute, 100 private-practice physicians in Germany were surveyed during telephone interviews regarding, among other things, the factors that would lead them to select a particular spirometer, or to possibly switch to a different manufacturer of such devices.

The result: The most frequent answer (55 percent) provided by the surveyed physicians as the paramount reason for possibly switching spirometer manufacturers, was bad service from their present spirometer supplier. In contrast, defects in the quality of the device was the second most frequent answer, and mentioned by only 14 percent of respondents.

 

 

Caption 1: Service is of paramount importance to the users of spirometers: Fifty-five percent of the physicians surveyed named bad service as the main reason for switching manufacturers of a lung function testing system they used. Bad quality of the device was mentioned next (14%).
Source: MEDIKRO GmbH; MIK study

Quartet composed of results accuracy,
hygiene, quality and service
In the overall evaluation of the different attributes considered important by physicians when selecting a lung function testing system, the quality of service was also one of the criterions most often mentioned. From a total of 15 spirometer properties, the respondents named the following as the most important (characterising the property as "very important", see graph):

• Accuracy of results (79%),
• hygiene and safety (76%),
• quality of the product (66%), as well as
• service (56%).

Caption 2: The accuracy of the measurement results, hygienic safety during use, the quality and the service are the most commonly mentioned properties that physicians expect from a lung function testing system.
Source: MEDIKRO GmbH; MIK study

The predominant importance of Service is also corroborated by the results obtained from many other studies conducted by the MIK market research institute. Dr. P. Korkala, Director of the MIK, points out: "For many years we have been conducting market studies in the health field, involving physicians, hospitals and laboratories. The importance of Service, whether provided directly from the manufacturer or from a representative, has become increasingly important in all studies. The users of devices and materials expect a qualitative product. Manufacturers are often able to stand out from the competition through the service and support that they offer. For this reason, customer proximity is of enormous importance."

Information for the editor:
About Medikro: Medikro OY was founded in 1977. Its main product is the spirometer – a lung function measuring system. The operation of Medikro's spirometer is computer-based; the software has been translated into 14 different languages, and can function with all available Windows operating systems.
Medikro has offices in Germany (Medikro GmbH, Wesel) and the United States (Medikro USA LLC).
You can find additional information about Medikro and its products on the Internet at www.medikro.com.

About this survey:
MEDIKRO: Service has been improved yet again through greater client proximity and a comprehensive guarantee
MEDIKRO, the manufacturer of Medikro SpiroStar USB, the world's smallest lung function testing system weighing only 22 grams, is using the results of this survey as an inducement to make new improvements to its Service, which is already valued by present users: Customer proximity, as well as rapid accessibility to Service in the event of inquiries or problems, will be noticeably improved yet again by bringing in new and specialised sales partners.

Contact and inquiries:
Juha Tuominen
Medikro Oy
Tel: +358 17 283 3000
Mobile: +358 44 777 7022
Fax: +358 17 283 3300

Address: Kellolahdentie 27, FIN-70460 Kuopio, Finland
E-mail: juha.tuominen@medikro.com


Caption 3:
The Medikro SpiroStar USB lung function testing system can be directly connected to a PC, and delivers reproducible and reliable results.
© Medikro (www.inspressclub.com).

Caption 4:
Weighing 22 grams, the Medikro SpiroStar USB is the smallest lung function testing system in the world. It already meets the new ATS and ERS spirometry standards released in December 2005.
© Medikro (www.inspressclub.com).

Press release images