Management of medical equipment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 1

Management of medical equipment - Essay Example The acquisition subcycle is further subdivided into the following phases: technology assessment, technology planning, acquisition, acceptance, and finally replacement and disposal (Chan, 2003). Technology assessment includes the assessment of the technology or in this case the equipment, mostly in relation to its safety and performance, as well as its projected effect in terms of patient outcomes and its impact on the economic and ethical elements of healthcare (Vallejo-Torres, et.al., 2008). Medical technology and equipment are evaluated in general terms and in relation to other technologies, procedures and interventions. The goal of medical technology assessment is to ensure objective as well as quality data which can be used by stakeholders in their decision-making (Vallejo-Torres, et.al., 2008). The general application of the technology assessment is on the assessment of technologies and equipment after they are introduced in the marketplace. Other experts and researchers however are also quick to point out that new technologies must be assessed before they are incorporated into the clinical practice (Pietzsch and Pate-Cornell, 2008). By evaluating the technology and equipment in the soonest possible time, it is possible to improve health outcomes, reduce wrong investments, and prevent possible ethical issues arising from these technologies (Pietzsch and Pate-Cornell, 2008). Technology planning is the next phase in the acquisition subcycle (Dyro, 2004). This planning phase includes an interdisciplinary planning process alongside years of experience in hospital management and construction, ensuring the establishment of functional procedures within the clinical practice (Hospital Technology, 2012). Planning medical technology...Medical technology and equipment are evaluated in general terms and in relation to other technologies, procedures and interventions. Planning medical technology also includes the acquisition of large-scale medical equipment including M RI, CT, PET-CT, and angiographies among others (Hospital Technology, 2012). The acquisition of the technology includes the actual purchase of the equipment itself. The last phase of the acquisition process is the replacement and disposal of the medical equipment. Unreliable equipment is also usually replaced. Where medical equipment is deemed unserviceable, it is also the responsibility of equipment services managers to indicate to the concerned department managers about the need for equipment replacement. Utilisation subcycle The other phase in the medical equipment lifecycle is the utilisation subcycle. Quality assurance is carried out in order to identify defective medical equipment (David, 2003). Utilisation subcycle and clinical governance Where the users of the equipment are properly trained, the risk to the patient and the medical staff is reduced. The training in equipment use would also include how the users can maintain the equipment, and this process usually includes the daily cleaning and maintenance of the equipment (Pardeshi, 2005). Quality assurance processes often involves routine maintenance and routine equipment check by the technicians as well as independent quality assurance agencies (WHO, 2013). Medical equipment management is an important aspect of the efficient delivery of healthcare services.