Bill Moffitt, UK operations manager for TBS G.B. Telematic & Biomedical Services, provides an insight into how vital biomedical engineering and telemedicine services are moving forward.
Preventative maintenance of biomedical equipment is increasing in importance.
Preventative maintenance is also an important part of an asset management programme to ensure that equipment is being maintained to ISO 9001- 2000 quality standards, and to prove to external auditors – for example the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection – that a maintenance programme is in place.
Additionally, preventative maintenance can assist Trusts receive Foundation status and pass Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) audits. Good technical support can only be achieved when a biomedical engineering department has control over the portfolio of devices that it is responsible for in the healthcare facility.
“Device lifecycle management” is the phrase of preference on this topic and it is best delivered where every action and cost associated with a device from pre-purchase through to retirement is recorded on a web-based computerised asset management system. Once the information system is in place, the entire management of the asset, including repair, scheduled maintenance, and replacement, can be organised in a particularly efficient manner.
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