Healthcare facilities today are making great efforts in providing top quality care by building state-of- the-art facilities and adapting to newer design techniques.
Concurrently, Medical Equipment Planning as something has transformed markedly since its conception. Yet, very few outside the medical fraternity knows and accepts the profound influence on patient experience and satisfaction that medical device have. This helps it be vital to integrate medical equipment planning in to the design process of a new or expanding healthcare facility.
A strategic method of medical equipment procurement process contributes greatly to the highest quality care. Medical device consultants can guide hospital planners in developing designs that aren’t only appropriate for present day services and trends but can also provide guidelines for future changes.
The selection criteria would be dependent on:
The demands of clinical requirements; patient safety; provision of efficient care
Operational needs and the way the devices impact workflow. What must be answered is:
Will the medical equipment be appropriate for the IT system as also improve the efficiency of staff and therefore increase productivity?
Will these equipment facilitate clinicians to practice techniques that otherwise could not be offered / offered adequately
The impact of the medical equipment on the financial viability, which involves the capex and revenue, operational and maintenance expenses
Uniqueness of the medical device in the patient drainage area and that it could offer diagnosis / treatment that has not been offered till date or services that the hospital was outsourcing
Similar to the architectural design procedure, medical equipment planning also offers important indicators during the hospital construction process. Successful planning ahead of acquisition of medical devices is a dynamic process involving a comprehensive team comprising clinicians, nurses, technicians, biomed engineers, architect team, project managers, finance people, equipment vendors, IT team, etc. The role and time lines for execution of each one’s task needs to be delineated at the outset. This technique should ideally begin at the outset of the project.
The medical equipment planner provides expertise and current knowledge to your client, thus guiding the decision-making process whilst always keeping the client and project’s interest in the forefront.
Like the architectural design procedure, medical equipment planning also offers important indicators through the hospital construction process. Successful planning prior to acquisition of medical devices is a dynamic process involving a comprehensive team comprising clinicians, nurses, technicians, biomed engineers, architect team, project managers, finance people, equipment vendors, IT team, etc. The role and time lines for execution of every one’s task needs to be delineated at the outset. This process should ideally begin at the outset of the project.
The medical equipment planner provides expertise and current knowledge to your client, thus guiding the decision-making process whilst keeping the client and project’s fascination with the forefront.
Other important factors are:
? body health which will be used e.g. AIA, FGI, NABH, etc.
? Weigh the advantages of procuring / not procuring / outsourcing certain devices
? Room data and layout sheets to ensure their functionality within defined spaces
? Planning for the future
? Judicial selection and buy of medical equipment with significant installation and utilities requirements
Today IoT (Internet of Things) has gained momentum. The medical devices must also fall within this domain to supply an integrated clinical environment around patients through interconnected devices. This enhances efficiency and reduces errors thus increasing productivity.
Some medical equipment have extensive lead times from date of purchase order till delivery to the project site. Moreover, several have significant utilities and installation requirements which are unique to a specific model and manufacturer and impact the design and engineering of a hospital. Should a newer technology emerge in the interim, changing a healthcare facility plans, designs and related budget can cause overall time and cost overruns. All these factors need proper attention.
More often than not, hospitals defer equipment selection till much later because the construction reaches an advanced stage. It is obviously that the medical equipment planner clarifies to your client / project team the negative outcomes of this leading to delay or change of decisions mid way at this late stage
