The design and development of a computerised I.T.U. planned preventive maintenance system

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Computer Science
• Engineering

Background:

• Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM) systems are crucial for operational efficiency in healthcare settings.
• The evolution from manual to computerised systems reflects advancements in technology and data management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the design and development of a Planned Preventive Maintenance System.
• To compare manual, semi-automatic, and fully computerised maintenance systems.
• To assess the effectiveness of a computerised PPM package in an Intensive Therapy Unit.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of different maintenance system types (manual, semi-automatic, computerised).
• Detailed description of the computer package's philosophy and file store.
• Assessment of the computerised package by the West Midlands Regional Health Authority.

Main Results:

• The computerised Planned Preventive Maintenance System was fully developed by 1979.
• The system was assessed for its effectiveness within an Intensive Therapy Unit.
• Suggestions were made for integrating the system with existing Estmancode for wider Works Department use.

Conclusions:

• The computerised PPM package proved effective in an Intensive Therapy Unit setting.
• Integration with Estmancode could expand the system's utility for Works Departments.
• The development highlights the benefits of computerisation in maintenance management.