Comparative Analysis of the Medical Equipment Management Process in Colombo Gampaha and Kaluthara Districts

Abstract

Background: Bio Medical Engineering (BME) professionals need to continuously review and improve their management strategies to keep up with enhancement in equipment technology, as well as with increasing expectations of health care organizations. In the last two decades, management strategies have evolved from the initial observation of electrical safety to flexible criteria that fit the individual institution's needs. The focus should be on the risks caused by equipment failure, rather than on equipment with highest maintenance demands.Objective: To explore the Medical Equipment Management process in the Department of Health Western Province.Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. Study period was from 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2022. Retrospective documentary data was obtained from the records maintained by the three Bio Medical Engineering offices in Colombo, Kaluthara and Gampaha. Data analysis was performed in an Excel sheet. Since the availability of a huge volume of equipment categories, researchers had to exclude some equipment such as blood pressure monitors due to time constraints.Results: Lowest preventive maintenance has been performed by Kaluthara BME Unit. It is confirmed that 100% Preventive maintenance has been performed by the local agent in Kaluthara District.Conclusion: Lowest performance in preventive maintenance has been performed by Kaluthara district BME unit. But in the aspect of corrective maintenance, they expressed the highest performance. Other two districts evidence showed an average performance. It is recommended to instruct BME unit Kaluthara district to start preventive maintenance. It is recommended to use their professional judgment and experience in establishing their own maintenance strategies.