What characterizes capital equipment items?

Capital equipment items are characterized primarily by their high cost. These items represent significant investments for healthcare facilities and are typically expected to have a long useful life, often exceeding one year. The high cost distinguishes capital equipment from other types of supplies or inventory, which may have lower costs and shorter lifecycles.

In a healthcare setting, capital equipment includes items like MRI machines, surgical tables, and ventilators. These pieces of equipment are essential for delivering high-quality patient care but require substantial financial resources for acquisition. Their long-term value and contribution to the healthcare facility's operations justify their capital designation.

Other options do not accurately reflect what characterizes capital equipment. Items with a low purchase cost are generally classified as supplies rather than capital equipment. Additionally, items that are purchased, stored, consumed, and reordered pertain more to inventory management of supplies rather than long-term capital investments. Lastly, while capital equipment is certainly used in patient care, the focus on high cost is key to understanding their classification in healthcare finance and management.