Optimizing Asset Management, Equipment Utilization More Essential Than Ever
Published: 2009-07-08 22:30:04
Author: Julie E. Williamson | MD Publishing | July 1, 2009
Of course, in doing so, equipment utilization and asset management becomes far more challenging, biomeds and patient care departments that need the equipment must waste precious time searching for missing or misplaced items, and, even more importantly, patient care suffers.
Fortunately, such challenges can be overcome. One solution? An asset management partnership program that helps healthcare organizations (and biomeds) stay on top of their existing equipment through optimized equipment utilization programs. Matt Smitt, national director of Universal Hospital Services’ Asset Management Partnership Program (AMPP), discussed the benefits of such a partnership in April during the Spring 2009 MD Expo in Scottsdale, AZ.
During his session, Smith noted that one of the key goals of UHS’ AMPP is to assist clinical engineers by freeing up valuable time and resources historically spent tracking down equipment. The site-based, customizable approach to equipment acquisition, management, maintenance and deployment also allows hospitals to avoid capital expenditures while optimizing the equipment they already have, he reasoned.
Because biomedical and central supply departments, for example, are non-revenue-generating departments, it’s imperative that existing resources are maximized, and that the professionals in these departments are able to focus their attention on their core competencies.
“We can help figure out what hospitals need to buy – with our goal being to look at things through the perspective of what hospitals really need,” said Smith, noting that UHS has spent $70 million annually on capital equipment, on behalf of hospitals, to help make this goal a reality. This high-level equipment acquisition, along with UHS’ relationships with all equipment manufacturers – makes it possible for facilities to acquire new equipment and upgrade equipment capabilities, without having to tap into their limited capital budgets. And because UHS is responsible for helping facilities better manage and utilize their existing equipment, biomeds can say goodbye to their typical “search and seizure” approach to hoarded devices.
Full story
Published: 2009-07-08 22:30:04
Author: Julie E. Williamson | MD Publishing | July 1, 2009
If you’re a biomed, then chances are you know firsthand the frustrations associated with trying to track down medical equipment and maintain a consistent, reliable preventive maintenance schedule.
The everyday equipment challenges are numerous – and when one factors a down-turned economy into the equation, they only become more magnified. When the economy takes a beating, so do hospital budgets, and that typically translates into significantly fewer capital equipment dollars. At the same time, a stronger desire from C-level executives to make the most of existing medical equipment and devices, while simultaneously attempting to drive more procedural revenue, often translates into more patients in need of the medical equipment – which, in turn, can lead nurses and other caregivers to hoard the limited quantity of devices on their floors.Of course, in doing so, equipment utilization and asset management becomes far more challenging, biomeds and patient care departments that need the equipment must waste precious time searching for missing or misplaced items, and, even more importantly, patient care suffers.
Fortunately, such challenges can be overcome. One solution? An asset management partnership program that helps healthcare organizations (and biomeds) stay on top of their existing equipment through optimized equipment utilization programs. Matt Smitt, national director of Universal Hospital Services’ Asset Management Partnership Program (AMPP), discussed the benefits of such a partnership in April during the Spring 2009 MD Expo in Scottsdale, AZ.
During his session, Smith noted that one of the key goals of UHS’ AMPP is to assist clinical engineers by freeing up valuable time and resources historically spent tracking down equipment. The site-based, customizable approach to equipment acquisition, management, maintenance and deployment also allows hospitals to avoid capital expenditures while optimizing the equipment they already have, he reasoned.
Because biomedical and central supply departments, for example, are non-revenue-generating departments, it’s imperative that existing resources are maximized, and that the professionals in these departments are able to focus their attention on their core competencies.
“We can help figure out what hospitals need to buy – with our goal being to look at things through the perspective of what hospitals really need,” said Smith, noting that UHS has spent $70 million annually on capital equipment, on behalf of hospitals, to help make this goal a reality. This high-level equipment acquisition, along with UHS’ relationships with all equipment manufacturers – makes it possible for facilities to acquire new equipment and upgrade equipment capabilities, without having to tap into their limited capital budgets. And because UHS is responsible for helping facilities better manage and utilize their existing equipment, biomeds can say goodbye to their typical “search and seizure” approach to hoarded devices.
Full story