When it comes to establishing the specific department/room in a healthcare center or building a new hospital, medical equipment planners play a vital role to achieve desired results. A healthcare unit requires numerous medical equipment that takes about 30 to 40 percent of the entire project fund which is very high in monetary terms. From a simple stretcher to complex MRI machine, everything has its importance. Designated hospital equipment planners are responsible for managing budget used in buying, exchange or repair of medical equipment and machinery and ensuring to provide best in class medical facilities to improve patient outcome.
Equipment has their own life, and health care equipment planners ensure the maximum utilization of equipment during their lifetime. These professionals follow sequential management activities to ensure the efficient and profitable working of medical equipments. The activities consist of the following steps:
Planning: Planning process helps to gather necessary information which is the basis of actions to be taken. Information revealed in the planning process includes:
- Needs and benefits of required equipment
- Available certified technicians
- Maintenance service and support
- Environmental support
- Regulatory compliance
The planning process helps to make a balance between clinical and technological sector to deliver high-quality medical services. Steps of planning include:
- Making an audit for existing technology and resources
- Technology assessment to adopt new technology to get desired results
- Selecting new technology to replace the old one
- Setting priorities for acquisition
- Monitor ongoing progress
Acquisition: Healthcare sector is changing rapidly with the invention of new technology that helps to improve patient outcome. The process is about attaining funds which are used for upgrading and adopting new technology. Designated hospital project consultants in india acquire new technology because of several reasons:
- To upgrade their services
- To provide efficient services
- Improve patient outcome
- Enhance cost benefits
- Achieve desired goals
- To minimize risk
Delivery and Incoming Inspection: A healthcare consulting firm in india inspect new incoming equipment including accessories, manuals, electrical safety, and operations systematically. They also check for possible shipment damage.
Inventory and Documentation: It is an important process which provides information for equipment servicing and management at different stages. Inventory and documentation file consists of the following things:
- An equipment control number
- Generic description of an equipment
- Equipment manufacturer, model, and serial number
- Owners department and location
- Purchase invoice
- Equipment buying cost
- Seller details like address, contact number
- Warranty terms and expiry date
- Details of additional warranty and service contract
Installation and Commissioning: The process is carried out in the presence of hospital designers and planners. They will ensure that particular equipment is installed properly at the right location.
User Training: It is necessary for the end user and working staff to familiar with the functioning and maintenance of installed equipment to avoid malfunctioning. Inappropriate handling of medical equipment can affect patient outcome and increase servicing cost.
Monitoring Equipment: All services provided by the seller should be recorded for monitoring purpose. Do not ignore inspecting machinery when they are covered under warranty.
Maintenance and Replacement: The top hospital consulting firms in india keeps records of all services provided by the seller and condition of the equipment to ensure that it works efficiently. Their goal is to make out maximum utilization of equipments during its lifetime. Once an equipment life is over, they will propose management to replace it with the latest one.