Multi-district equipment management

Equipment management covers a wide range of topics including evaluation, purchase, maintenance, accident investigation, condemning of equipment and the implementation of safety bulletins and hazard notices. Equipment management can only be as good as the records maintained; a good paper-filing system can be better than a computerized inventory system. This is particularly so in small hospitals where the bulk of such records does not present a problem. The DHSS evaluation programme has helped to answer many questions regarding which type of equipment to purchase. Sheffield has for the last 12 years been fortunate in having its own evaluation service. This service is available to all who require advice regarding new items of equipment. An equipment test report is produced after the evaluation (including manufacturer's comments). A list of evaluations is published annually in order to make other interested parties aware of their availability. The electromedical maintenance section (which now incorporates equipment evaluation) was established about 12 years ago. At that time the staff consisted of three technicians and one part-time secretary. There are now 10 technicians equally divided between two hospital bases, the secretary alternates between the two bases. A principal physicist now acts as the section head.