Healthcare technology management and maintenance is an essential part of running an effective and safe medical facility. Patients expect to be treated to a high standard in decent diagnostic facilities. This means hospitals and clinics must import sophisticated and costly medical equipment for their surgeries and maintain them. Discover what medical equipment maintenance entails here…

Improving Patient Care and Managing Costs

Medical devices present a huge cost to health care facilities – even the most ‘simple’ of devices can cost thousands of Rands. They are also assets that can directly affect the wellbeing of patients and regularly make the difference between life and death. Although we live in a so-called “throw-away” society, with updated replacements available yearly, biomedical equipment is made to last if it is well maintained. A maintenance programme will keep costs down by decreasing the need for new devices, ensuring equipment remains in a sanitary and reliable condition.

Developing a Medical Equipment Maintenance Plan

Hospital administrators and managers are tasked with formulating and enforcing medical equipment plans. They must also liaise with parties who regulate maintenance standards. The policy and process for equipment management should include the following:

  • Create an inventory of all medical equipment used in the facility
  • Obtain manufacturers recommendations for maintenance
  • Confirm the credentials of companies and individuals tasked with maintaining equipment
  • Take note of high risk equipment that requires 100 percent compliance.
  • Create procedures for inspection
  • Aim to extend the life of medical equipment and reduce failures with preventative measures
  • Equipment function can be restored with corrective maintenance.

Implementing a Medical Equipment Maintenance Plan

An effective maintenance plan has three tiers – planning, management and implementation.

Planning

Administrators who devise the maintenance management plan need to consider financial costs, human resources and physical logistics. These considerations must be balanced when implementing a plan, so that finances break-even and resources are delegated in order of priority.

Management

The second arm of the maintenance tier is a management department that can continuously examine how well elements of the plan are functioning and direct resources accordingly.

Implementation

Once a plan is confirmed and resources have been allocated, administrative and management departments must collaborate and communicate seamlessly. This will result in all facets being implemented properly and timeously.

Preventative and Corrective Maintenance: In-House or Contractors

When a structure for an effective maintenance programme is in effect, the healthcare facility must decide whether corrective and preventative maintenance is carried out by in-house engineers or outsourced to a contractor. The administration must take into consideration the comparative costs of employing and creating its own maintenance department, versus the logistical costs of outsourcing this function.

Regardless of which route a healthcare facility chooses, the maintenance should be carried out by certified professionals. Any repairs or checks should also be reported and signed-off to guarantee compliance and accountability.

No matter what your medical equipment maintenance requirements, Glenmed can assist.  We offer exemplary maintenance solutions carried out by technically qualified and fully factory trained maintenance personnel. For more information on our services get in touch today…