Why choose Axis-Shield? Because it’s not just the box – it’s what inside that counts!

Why do you buy from Axis-Shield? Find out what our customers think – and see if you agree…

Here we are, in the midst of an economic downturn – we’ll try not to use the ‘R’ word – and guess what really motivates customers when they’re choosing products and services?

It’s got to be price, right?

Actually, we don’t think it is. Even now, with budgets pared to the bone and interest rates plummeting, we sense that our customers are driven primarily by a need for impeccable quality and service.

Now more than ever, consumers are wise to the fact that quality of product is the surest way to guarantee value in the long term. That’s why, when you buy from us, you know you’ll be making long term, ongoing savings in your near patient care costs.

Added to that, the right kind of service adds value all the way. At Axis-Shield you’ll see that same commitment to the highest possible standards in our ISO accreditation, and in our goal of delivering a ‘perfect order’ every time. You’ll experience the in-depth training we provide for new and existing customers, and enjoy our accessible technical support service.

Naturally we’re very careful to ensure that all our products come from trusted suppliers with unimpeachable reputations. Because you demand it. And because every link in the chain is important!

You can find much more about who we are, and how we work here. Or better yet, give us a call on 01480 862100, and we’ll be pleased to answer all your questions.

More improvements to our web site

We’ve made a few changes to our website. Come and have a look and see what you think.

Customer demand prompts new training initiative

Near patient care nurses see red. Find out why.

Using just two drops of blood the portable i-STAT can deliver results for blood gases and a range of other tests. It’s an amazingly effective tool – but there’s one problem…

In the community, the test for blood gases works most efficiently with ear lobe capillary blood samples. But customers have found it hard to find anyone who is able to train them in how to take the samples. As a result, we were hearing about customers who were all kitted out, trained in how to use the i-STAT, but unable to get started. Very frustrating!

So we approached Education for Health to see if they could help. Thankfully they were very keen to get involved. Our plan was to train a group of nurses, then call upon them to teach any of our customers in how to take the capillary blood samples.

The nurses, from all over the country, gathered together at the Respiratory Training Centre in Warwick. Over the course of the day’s training, the nurses got practical, first hand experience of taking blood samples from the ear lobe.

Practicing the procedure on one another, the nurses then took the opportunity to use the i-STAT units to process the results – which are delivered within just a couple of minutes. The i-STAT portable diagnostic device is revolutionising near patient care in the community for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and chronic heart disease.

This event was an important ‘next step’ in moving blood gas testing into the community, for the benefit of patient and PCT. According to one of the participants, Sandy Walmsley, “The session proved that obtaining a capillary blood sample for blood gas analysis is indeed an art, which needs much practice and a high level of competency. There was a real learning outcome from the day which demonstrated the importance of training and the versatility of the i-STAT.”

According to Axis-Shield Marketing Director, Sue Younghusband, “We realised we needed a network of respiratory specialist nurses, capable of training others to take arterialised blood samples as and when required, so we approached Education for Health and this excellent training session was the result.”

Keeping in touch

Our newsletter is a great way of keeping customers up-to-date, but we also send out regular special offers and advice on getting the best out of our products. So if this newsletter has been forwarded to you by a colleague, just click to register and we’ll make sure you’re signed up for future issues – and all those special offers! (Registration only takes a minute and you can unsubscribe at any time.)

Improvements to our delivery service

Delivery discounts and guaranteed service – find out how Axis-Shield is improving the supply chain.

Isn’t it annoying when someone lets you down?

It happened to us a few too many times last year. So we resolved to do something about it.

Our couriers just couldn’t cope with the standards we set for deliveries to customers. Naturally that reflected badly on us. Worse, it stymied customers’ savings. We’re firm believers in the sort of savings many of our products can make for customers from day one. So any little hiccup in the supply chain set those savings back. And that’s deeply frustrating.

Not only that, given the sensitive nature of some of the products we deliver, any sustained deviation in temperature can impact their effectiveness. Not something that sat very well with our commitment to exemplary standards!

So we’re glad to report that an enhanced service has been introduced. Our new courier company, PolarSpeed, offers a specialist cold-chain distribution service. They guarantee your products will be kept at the right temperature – the same temperature they leave our warehouse – right up until they reach your department.

The importance of this commitment to exemplary delivery standards was brought into focus in the midst of our fiercest winter for decades. Inevitably, some deliveries were delayed, but thanks to PolarSpeed, everything stayed in tiptop condition.

And wait until summer! It’s going to be a scorcher, trust us! You can order any product, secure in the knowledge that it will stay at optimum temperature, no matter how hot it gets outside. 

One more thing. Please don’t forget that Axis-Shield offers 20% off our normal delivery charge of £25 for anyone placing a standing order with us. One more way of saving with Axis-Shield.