Survey of clinical engineering effectiveness in developing world hospitals: equipment resources, procurement and...

This paper presents preliminary findings of a study of clinical engineering effectiveness within developing world hospitals. To date, 169 responses have been collected from 43 countries, primarily from Africa, Latin America and Asia, with some representation from the Middle East and Eastern Europe as well. Data is presented on: 1) hospital and clinical engineering department profiles; 2) human and equipment resources; and 3) equipment procurement and donation processes, with a focus on the role of the clinical engineering department. This is the first study to collect and analyze data on the complexity and state of hospital equipment across the developing world; additionally it is the first to collect significant responses from Africa. Prior to this study, only 10 developing countries had been profiled in international studies.