
The Need for Medical Equipment Maintenance
Though technology gives us astonishing breakthroughs and innovations for the health care industry, it is not without its faults. No technology is 100% foolproof, and until it is, medical equipment maintenance is necessary to keep these innovations running in top shape. Many don’t realize the upkeep that medical devices take, but it is a critical aspect integrated into hospital, urgent care, and even nursing home overhead costs. Let’s take a look at the benefits of medical device maintenance in the health care industry.
1. Reduced Downtime and Costs
When medical equipment fails, the medical facility must either buy new equipment to replace it, rent equipment while waiting for it to be repaired, or simply go without it. These unexpected downtimes can cause medical facilities to lose millions of dollars each year. By practicing regular medical equipment maintenance, you can decrease the frequency of unexpected failures and the costs associated with it.
2. Longer Lifespan
Highly technical equipment from any industry is expensive, especially when it’s advanced medical equipment. That’s why you want to make sure that your equipment lasts for as long as possible to service as many patients as it can and to get the most value out of it. The best way to increase the lifespan of your equipment is by having proper medical equipment maintenance. It will keep your equipment functioning at top performance and address any issues before they could put your equipment out of commission.
3. Regulatory Requirements
Medical equipment is highly regulated by the health care industry and government organizations such as the FDA and PAHO to ensure public safety and device effectiveness. Routine audits are required for class II and class III medical devices every 2 years, which could result in necessary calibrations and additional servicing. But, having frequent testing and check-ups more than every couple years will ensure your equipment is always adhering to these standards.
4. Efficiency and Safety
Consistent maintenance of medical equipment will not only save you money, prolong the value of your investment, and ensure that you are adhering to regulatory requirements, but it will also increase the safety and efficiency of your equipment. The safety of your patients and staff is the top priority in the medical device industry. By maintaining your equipment, you are providing the safest and most efficient environment possible.
Maintaining your equipment cuts costs and keeps your devices in commission to help save lives. At CAST, we regularly audit medical equipment and are highly experienced in medical device repair to keep your facility functioning at its peak performance. If you’re interested in partnering with CSAT, contact us today.