Choosing the Right Medical Courier

Courier services are a growing niche in the logistics industry as more businesses look for ways to make timely deliveries to their customers. The healthcare industry is no different in this aspect when it comes to needing deliveries made quickly and accurately. However, finding and choosing a medical courier tends to be more involved. Not every courier service offers medical deliveries as an option. Whether you manage a doctor’s office, hospital, or pharmacy, choosing the right medical courier is vital to your overall reputation.

Why a Medical Courier is Vital

The healthcare industry requires special considerations when delivering medical equipment, supplies, and medications to patients, long-term care facilities, and other offices. In addition to confidentiality requirements, some supplies need special care in regards to fragileness or specific temperature requirements.

These special requirements have made medical courier services a valuable addition to the healthcare industry. Offices that use a medical courier show that they care about patients well-being and are willing to take extra steps to ensure needs are met.

Tips for Choosing the Right Medical Courier

Before choosing the perfect medical courier to deliver medical supplies, keep these 6 tips in mind.

Confidentiality Requirements

Patient privacy is an area of top concern. A medical courier should conduct background checks on all employees in addition to having set guidelines on who can view client information. Proper training should be provided for those making deliveries, so supplies are only left with the right individuals. Strict confidentiality protocols are not just a good business practice; they also keep you compliant with strict healthcare regulations.

Flexibility

Medical deliveries are often time-sensitive, and some are last minute requests. Before choosing a medical courier, ask how they are equipped to handle evening, weekend, and last minute deliveries. The best medical couriers have plans in place to offer their clients flexible delivery times and schedules.

Reliability

Many courier services close or delay deliveries during winter weather, and in the northeast, these can be frequent. Patients still require their medication even when snow is on the ground making it essential for the medical courier to be able to deliver in all types of weather conditions.

Packaging Requirements

Inquire about packaging capabilities in advance to ensure the medical courier can handle special requests like insulated packaging for temperature requirements. In addition, it is a good idea to assure they properly label fragile, heavy, and liquid packages to prevent damage during travel.

Tracking

While patients often appreciate deliveries, they also like the peace of mind that comes with knowing when their shipment will arrive. Medical couriers should utilize technology and software that allows you to track deliveries as well as patients. This is beneficial to your office when patients call in inquiring about deliveries and lets you provide them with real-time information.

Trustworthy

Finally, it is critical that you hire a medical courier known for being honest in addition to portraying they are trustworthy. When they deliver medical supplies to your customers, they are reflecting you and your business, not the courier service. They need to make patients feel safe and secure, so patients continue to work with you.

Bluegrass Medical, a specialized division of Bluegrass Express is a full-service courier and logistics company that can assist with your medical courier needs in the Midwest; including Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia. Contact us today for additional information.