The engineering department performs a wide range of functions which may be assigned to various unit of its sub – departments. The hospital's biomedical engineering department is responsible for the operation of all equipment, machinery and repairs specifically. Typically, the hospital maintenance work falls into the following classes.
a. Preventive Maintenance
b. Emergency Maintenance
c. Routine Maintenance
In developing an equipment control system, the following steps were involved:
a. Provide guidelines in the selections and maintenance of equipment. i.e. Involve BME personnel in the purchase of equipment and the maintenance of it.
b. Writing specifications for all the new equipment and machinery.
c . Evaluating the equipment and machinery on the basis of its initial cost as well as its operational cost: since many atimes, the high maintenance and operational cost of the equipment turns out to be much higher than the initial cost.
d. Inspection of incoming equipment and machinery and doing pre-acceptance checks before official acceptance and payment.
e. When a new piece of equipment is received, the following steps should begin through the BME department for pre-acceptance checks.
f . Calibrate the equipment for accuracy, a calibration procedure and records are initiated. After which tags and labels are affixed to the new equipment.
g. Maintaining the equipment to the best of its performance by organizing a planned maintenance program for all equipment’s and attending to emergency breakdowns and repairs.
h. Arranging for training programs for technicians in biomedical engineering department as well as the end users.
j. Advising and providing expertise to the medical staff and administration.
k. Maintaining equipment inventory for all existing and incoming equipment.
l. Active involvement in the activities of the hospital’s safety committee and checking safety hazards.
m. Keeping record of the Spares / consumable items.
n. Help in designing of hospitals, medical centre and cottage clinics.
p. Hospital project management.