Using quality improvement to manage the installation of capital equipment

The traditional process for capital equipment installation in healthcare settings is often not managed to maximum effectiveness. Cost overruns from unplanned construction or from construction change orders are frequently caused by breakdowns in communications between architects, equipment vendors, building contractors, and managers of healthcare services. Through the use of a continuous quality improvement philosophy, it is possible to redefine the installation process and thereby enable the healthcare facility to streamline the costs of capital acquisition.