Medical Devices Report

Board
There needs to be clear responsibility for medical equipment at Board level. The Trust Board requires assurance that it has a strategic management approach to what is a substantial asset, all medical equipment
DEC's
MDA guidelines also recommend that there should be a person in each hospital dept nominated to represent all aspects of the use of medical devices. This will improve coordination between dept's over its inventory; use and sharing of equipment; maintenance needs and scheduling. This will also improve/impact on safety in the event that the MDA issues a hazard or safety notice, as there is increased potential to locate and identify specific equipment (currently a risk as it takes time to locate/identify equipment)
Acquisition
MDA recommend a procurement committee responsible for procurement of all medical equipment.
Procurement of medical equipment needs to be better coordinated across the Trust, with the involvement of technical personnel. Currently this does not happen and as a result the scope for effective strategic planning, coordination, and procurement of medical equipment is limited, risking value for money and patient safety.
A properly planned approach to the acquisition of medical equipment taking in to account the needs and preferences of professionals and end-users whilst retaining consistency and control, is needed if value for money is to be obtained; improve patient safety and quality outcomes. The Trust has no formal business planning process in place for the replacement/acquisition of equipment. The Trusts procedures are inconsistent, lack research selection process, lack standardisation and fail to consider future requirements or service plans.
The inventory information is key to this process and must be comprehensive and used fully in decision making. Good quality information is prerequisite for effective management of medical equipment. The trust inventory is out of date, inconsistent and lacking in detail. Poor inventory management and information is constraining the Trusts ability to make rational long term planning decisions on the basis of existing stock of medical equipment. It also limits the efficient utilisation of medical equipment and the effective planning of maintenance, and there may be safety implications if medical equipment cannot be located promptly via an inventory
MDA issued guidance on the management of medical devices in 2006 MDA guidelines recommends that a technical supervisor should be involved in the purchase, acceptance testing installation, repair and maintenance of medical equipment and the training of users.
Standardisation
Clinical requirements will dictate that a minimum number of makes and models of the same item or equipment is needed. Therefore where appropriate standardisation of medical equipment can save costs on acquisition and maintenance, improve flexibility in the use and reduce potential for serious incidents. Standardisation of equipment by type, in conjunction with the operation of an equipment library can also lead to more efficient utilisation of equipment.
Standardisation can produce substantial savings and improve safety and training costs.
Maintenance
Most equipment maintenance is carried out by suppliers or by third parties. The Trust does not purchase maintenance well. Frequently no maintenance agreement is agreed and purchased at the time equipment is purchased.
The Trust does have some in house maintenance which has saved money and is in keeping with other Trusts and recommendations. Trust needs to adopt planned preventative maintenance in line with MDA guidance and suppliers recommendations.
Safety and training
The Trust has inconsistent system for reporting adverse incidents involving a medical device.
Training is essential. User error is the most important frequent cause of adverse incidents and good quality training is probably the most important factor in in reducing the level of user error.