Medical equipment maintenance: an interplay between internal and external expertise

Read on in this blog and find out:

• the pain points in medical equipment maintenance
• the importance of preventive maintenance
• how external expertise can be the key to unburdening you
• why using external expertise also makes economic sense

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Pain points in maintaining medical equipment

Medical institutions, from hospitals to private clinics, often work with a wide range of medical devices. Each of these devices requires specific maintenance, calibration and certification. However, this is where the initial pain points lie:

• • • Complexity of modern devices: Medical technology is evolving rapidly. The latest generation of equipment often features complex software and advanced settings, making them difficult to maintain without specialised knowledge. A doctor or nurse cannot simply solve minor technical problems, let alone perform the more intrusive maintenance tasks.

      
      

    • Cost of downtime: A broken device not only means that patients cannot be treated adequately, but also that there are often high costs involved in the downtime. This is especially true for equipment crucial for diagnoses or acute care, such as MRI scanners, ventilation equipment, volumetric, syringe pumps, pain pumps, defibs, coagulation devices, etc. Downtime leads to operational inefficiency and can significantly reduce the quality of care.

      
      

    • Time pressure and staff shortages: The healthcare sector is facing an increasing shortage of qualified personnel. This applies not only to doctors and nurses, but also to technicians in charge of maintaining medical equipment. Without enough specialised staff, it is almost impossible to carry out maintenance regularly and correctly, which increases the risk of breakdowns.

The importance of preventive maintenance

While there is often a reaction when a piece of equipment breaks down, the real key to success lies in preventive maintenance. Preventive measures can avoid unexpected downtime and high repair costs. Here are some key reasons why preventive maintenance is indispensable:

• • • Extended life of appliances: Regular maintenance can significantly extend the life of an appliance. Replacing parts or performing calibrations in a timely manner keeps the equipment functioning optimally for longer, making the investment more profitable in the long run.

      
      

    • Patient safety: A well-maintained device reduces the risk of malfunctions during operation, which is crucial for patient safety. For example, consider a respirator that refuses service at a crucial moment. Preventive maintenance minimises these risks and ensures the equipment remains reliable.

      
      

    • Regulatory compliance: Medical devices often have to comply with strict regulations and certifications. Here, regular maintenance and calibration are necessary to meet national and international regulatory requirements. This applies to both hospitals and private clinics.

Cost-benefit analysis: Does outsourcing maintenance make economic sense?

A common misconception is that outsourcing maintenance is more expensive than in-house management. While external services come at a cost, the long-term benefits are often significantly greater. Here are some of the economic benefits:

• • • Fewer unexpected expenses: Regular inspections and preventive maintenance by an external company reduces the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns. This means fewer emergency repairs and replacements, which are often much more expensive than regular maintenance.

      
      

    • More efficient use of resources: An external company can use sophisticated tools and software to check the status of equipment. As a result, breakdowns can often be prevented.

      
      

    • Cost savings through shared expertise: When a healthcare institution collaborates with an external service provider, it can often serve multiple customers using the same expertise and technology. This creates economies of scale, ultimately resulting in lower costs for all parties involved.