WHO and partners have been working towards devising an agenda, an action plan, tools and guidelines to increase access to appropriate medical devices. This document is part of a series of reference documents being developed for use at the country level. The series will include the following subject areas: * policy framework for health technology * medical device regulations * health technology assessment * health technology management * needs assessment of medical devices * medical device procurement * medical equipment donations * medical equipment inventory management * medical equipment maintenance * computerized maintenance management systems * medical device data * medical device nomenclature * medical devices by health-care setting * medical devices by clinical procedures * medical device innovation, research and development. These documents are intended for use by biomedical engineers, health managers, donors, nongovernmental organizations and academic institutions involved in health technology at the district, national, regional or global levels. HTA is the systematic evaluation of properties, effects, and/or impacts of health technology. Its main purpose is to inform technology-related policy-making in health care, and thus improve the uptake of cost-effective new technologies and prevent the uptake of technologies that are of doubtful value for the health system. It is one of three complementary functions to ensure the appropriate introduction and use of health technology. The other two components are regulation, which is concerned with safety and efficacy, and assessment of all significant intended as well as unintended consequences of technology use; and management, which is concerned with the procurement and maintenance of the technology during its life-cycle. The performance of health systems is strengthened when the linkages and exchange among these elements are clearly differentiated but mutually supportive. This document integrates health technology assessment into the WHO framework for evidence-informed policy-making. Health systems are strengthened when HTA is integrated into the human and material resources, data, transparent decision- and policy-making, and linked to the overall vision of equity and accountability. Good governance can rely on health technology assessment to provide a policy approach that is accountable for its decisions to the population.

The format is particularly suited to the quick, effective repair of equipment malfunctions. Wherever possible, a description of the equipment is followed by diagrammatic description and numbered check lists for service. Also included are photographs and schematics of equipment currently in use.

In addition to being essential for safe and effective patient care, medical equipment also has significant impact on the income and, thus, vitality of healthcare organizations. For this reason, its maintenance and management requires careful supervision by healthcare administrators, many of whom may not have the technical background to understand all of the relevant factors. This book presents the basic elements of medical equipment maintenance and management required of healthcare leaders responsible for managing or overseeing this function. It will enable these individuals to understand their professional responsibilities, as well as what they should expect from their supervised staff and how to measure and benchmark staff performance against equivalent performance levels at similar organizations. The book opens with a foundational summary of the laws, regulations, codes, and standards that are applicable to the maintenance and management of medical equipment in healthcare organizations. Next, the core functions of the team responsible for maintenance and management are described in sufficient detail for managers and overseers. Then the methods and measures for determining the effectiveness and efficiency of equipment maintenance and management are presented to allow performance management and benchmarking comparisons. The challenges and opportunities of managing healthcare organizations of different sizes, acuity levels, and geographical locations are discussed. Extensive bibliographic sources and material for further study are provided to assist students and healthcare leaders interested in acquiring more detailed knowledge. Table of Contents: Introduction / Regulatory Framework / Core Functions of Medical Equipment Maintenance and Management / CE Department Management / Performance Management / Discussion and Conclusions

Know What to Expect When Managing Medical Equipment and Healthcare Technology in Your OrganizationAs medical technology in clinical care becomes more complex, clinical professionals and support staff must know how to keep patients safe and equipment working in the clinical environment. Accessible to all healthcare professionals and managers, Medica

A practical guide to the maintenance and repair of essential laboratory and hospital equipment. Intended for use in institutions that do not have specially trained technicians or engineers the book responds to the situation frequently seen in developing countries where much of the equipment is imported and adequate information on maintenance and repair is rarely provided by suppliers. With these special needs in mind the manual aims to help staff using specific types of equipment to understand basic principles of construction and operation adopt good working practices avoid common errors perform routine maintenance and spot the early signs of defects or deterioration. Advice on equipment repair concentrates on common causes of problems that can be solved without expertise in engineering. Throughout the manual line drawings illustrate features of construction and design while numerous checklists offer advice on periodic inspection and cleaning good working practices and the essential do's don'ts must's and never's of routine operation and maintenance. Information ranges from the steps to follow when recharging batteries through advice on how to protect microscopes in hot climates to instructions for changing a blown fuse in an ultrasound scanner. Basic safety procedures for protecting staff as well as patients are also described. The most extensive chapter covers the maintenance and repair of basic laboratory equipment moving from autoclaves and incubators to cell counters and systems for water purification. The remaining chapters describe the correct use maintenance and repair of diagnostic equipment anaesthetic and resuscitation equipment operating room equipment and ultrasound and X-ray diagnostic equipment.