Courier services are big business on a global scale. It’s an industry that’s booming, well into the many billions of dollars, with more and more companies entering the market every year.
But how do you know which ones are reliable? And how can you trust them when it comes to sensitive, delicate deliveries like the ones required for medical courier services?
Even more importantly, what if you’re a business that needs a medical courier service but you’re feeling skeptical that any of them could measure up to your very high standards? After all, shipping and delivering medical products can be a very costly and sensitive process, and you or your business might rely on delivery success.
Keep reading for the ultimate guide on how to select the best medical courier service, so that you or your clients receive the highest standard of care.
Medical Courier Employees: A Vital Element
There are several things to consider when looking at hiring a medical courier service, and chief among them is the courier staff.
Employees must have a friendly, calm and compassionate manner. They’re dealing with chronically ill, stressed, or otherwise incapacitated clients who may not have much interaction with the outside world on a regular basis.
Some of them might rely on service animals, and so a courier must be able to manage and interact with those animals.
Delivery people must be vetted with appropriate background checks and possess HIPPA compliance, because they are moving and handling material that’s not only expensive or confidential and personal but also literally life-saving.
They also need to be detail-oriented, time efficient, familiar with routes and familiar with handling of toxic or expiring compounds and chemicals.
They should also have training with communicating with lab technicians, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Customer Service
For your peace of mind, in addition to couriers that have been thoroughly trained and vetted, you’ll want to know that the entire customer service staff is also top-notch.
Should an issue arise, you’ll want to be able to communicate quickly and effectively with a real, live person.
Also, since many clients are patients with difficulties in communicating, such as being hearing impaired, you’ll want to ensure that the courier service has those bases covered.
Patience in this industry is also a big bonus. If you’re dealing with communicative and laid-back customer service employees, even a major snafu can be pleasantly managed.
Your Courier Must be Insured
In case of unforeseen events such as weather disasters, it’s important that the courier service you select is licensed and insured by a reputable company.
As well, their couriers should also be insured.
Timing and Availability
Customers relying on medical couriers are often waiting for time-sensitive items. A delivery that’s a day or even a few hours late can seriously impact their lives.
It’s necessary that when choosing a medical courier service, a client or business sees that their website or other resource has tracking options, as well as dates and times of availability.
Ideally, you choose a courier that is available every day of the year, at most times or 24 hours a day and always with the option for same day delivery.
Careful Transportation
Delivering medical products is a careful process, and the delicate nature of the products makes the method of delivery all the more important.
Why is this? Weather, both hot and cold, as well as changing environments over long distances, makes the trucks or delivery vehicles one of the things you must consider very closely.
In addition, a courier service that understands and uses high tech insulated packaging will be key in your decision-making process. And let’s get blunt here: blood, organs, and other organically-based compounds must be stored at very specific temperatures. There is no room for mistake or negligence, ever.
Please be sure to ask questions of the courier services you are considering, like what are their trucks equipped with, and are they built for climate control?
Ensuring this will also ensure that your products are successfully delivered to you or your patients.
Experience is Everything
Even though the courier industry is booming, and new businesses are arriving on scene with cool technology and innovative ways to deliver your medical supplies and products, that doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed to be great.
Sometimes, experience can trump the bells and whistles. When it comes to something as sensitive as medical deliveries, this couldn’t be truer.
Research the courier company to see if they have a long history of success. That will include client testimonials, and any other published proof of their superior courier abilities.
And if their services are a bit more expensive, it’s usually worth the extra expense to have peace of mind and a guaranteed delivery.
While the younger companies might entice you with flashy promises and cutting costs, it might not be wise to pursue their services when considering your needs.
Your Medical Courier’s Abilities are Vital!
This guide is a great way to carefully consider the couriers you’re interested in hiring, either for yourself or your business.
It’s a bit of an in-depth process, but don’t be overwhelmed. In the end, with your products successfully and safely delivered, it will be well worth it.
Are you ready to start researching the amazing courier services available, but don’t know where to begin? Head over to our blog and get an idea, then let us know how we can help you.