A multidisciplinary approach to medical equipment acquisition

Hospitals require various equipment for functioning of various departments. The equipment could be related to patient care or otherwise. Direct patient-care-related equipment is cardiac monitors, BP apparatus, pulse oxymeters, ventilators, hemodialysis machines, RO plant, ECG and X-ray machines. Equipment needed to support patient care include desktop computer systems, tabs, internet-related, generators or inverters, refrigerators, laboratory equipment like biochemistry and hematology analyzers, blood gas analysis machine, microscopes, etc.

Any deficiency in the equipment would directly or indirectly hamper patient care. The equipment needs warranty and maintenance. It is vital to ensure the perfect working status of all the equipment.

First of all, the selection of the equipment would warrant getting quotations from various vendors. It is important to identify standard and reputed companies, which are appropriately certified to buy equipment from. Quality of the equipment, its advantages and disadvantages, and special features need to be looked into. Competitive price is also important though it is not the sole criterion. Proof of the equipment used effectively elsewhere is looked into. The history of frequent breakdown of the equipment would be a factor against its procurement.

Availability of spare parts of the equipment is also important. Servicing of the machines is a very important factor in equipment procurement. Service should be available at quick time and throughout the year. We have had experience with hemodialysis machines earlier, where we were dependent upon service engineers coming in from a neighboring state. There were major problems during festival seasons due to continuous holidays. Hence, it is essential that we choose vendors who have their service centers well established inside the respective states.

In case of dire need like laboratory equipment, the vendors should be able to provide alternative machines for emergency usage in case of major breakdowns.

The warranty should be a comprehensive one and should suit the organizational needs.

Calibration of the equipment should be feasible.

Safety of the machine is vital. It has to be safe for the patient as well as the staff handling the equipment. Leak-proof and shock-proof equipment is mandatory.

The operation of the equipment needs to be simple and easily understandable by the operator. Instructions regarding the usage/do’s and don’ts have to be very clearly spelt out.

Equipment like RO plants is expensive and needs proper maintenance. The vendors should be able to select the right type of equipment needed for hemodialysis units in consultation with the nephrologist and the management. Transparency in dealings on both sides is vital. The vendors should be able to guide the organization correctly when replacements for equipment are needed.

The equipment should also have the capacity for upgradation to the current developments.

Another important need is the feasibility of cleaning/disinfecting the equipment after usage. This should not be cumbersome.

Also, the equipment need to be handy and not very large so that moving it should not be a problem.