Integrating Medical Equipment Planning Into Hospital Planning & Design

Healthcare facilities today are making great efforts in providing top quality care by building state-of- the-art facilities and adapting to newer design techniques.

At once, Medical Equipment Planning as something has transformed markedly since its conception. Yet, not many away from medical fraternity autosampler knows and accepts the profound influence on patient experience and satisfaction that medical device have. This helps it be imperative to integrate medical equipment planning into the design means of a brand new or expanding healthcare facility.

A proper method of medical equipment procurement process contributes greatly to the best quality care. Medical device consultants can guide hospital planners in developing designs that aren't only appropriate for current day services and trends but can provide guidelines for future changes.

The selection criteria could be dependent on:

The demands of clinical requirements; patient safety; provision of efficient care

Operational needs and how a devices impact workflow. What must be answered is:

Will the medical equipment be appropriate for the IT system as also increase the efficiency of staff and thus increase productivity?

Will these equipment facilitate clinicians to apply techniques that otherwise couldn't be offered / offered adequately

The impact of the medical equipment on the financial viability, which involves the capex and revenue, operational and maintenance expenses

Uniqueness of the medical device in the in-patient drainage area and so it can provide diagnosis / treatment that's not been offered till date or services that the hospital was outsourcing

Similar to the architectural design procedure, medical equipment planning also offers important indicators during the hospital construction process. Successful planning prior to acquisition of medical devices is a powerful process involving a comprehensive team comprising clinicians, nurses, technicians, biomed engineers, architect team, project managers, finance people, equipment vendors, IT team, etc. The role and time lines for execution of each one's task has to be delineated at the outset. This process should ideally begin at the outset of the project.

The medical equipment planner provides expertise and current knowledge to the client, thus guiding the decision-making process whilst always keeping the client and project's interest in the forefront.

Similar to the architectural design procedure, medical equipment planning also offers important indicators during the hospital construction process. Successful planning prior to acquisition of medical devices is a powerful process involving a comprehensive team comprising clinicians, nurses, technicians, biomed engineers, architect team, project managers, finance people, equipment vendors, IT team, etc. The role and time lines for execution of each one's task has to be delineated at the outset. This process should ideally begin at the outset of the project.

The medical equipment planner provides expertise and current knowledge to the client, thus guiding the decision-making process whilst always keeping the client and project's interest in the forefront.

Other important factors are:

• The planning standards which is used e.g. AIA, FGI, NABH, etc.

• Weigh the benefits of procuring / not procuring / outsourcing certain devices

• Room data and layout sheets to make certain their functionality within defined spaces

• Planning for the future

• Judicial selection and purchase of medical equipment with significant installation and utilities requirements

Today IoT (Internet of Things) has gained momentum. The medical devices must fall in this domain to offer an integrated clinical environment around patients through interconnected devices. This enhances efficiency and reduces errors thus increasing productivity.

Some medical equipment have extensive lead times from date of purchase order till delivery to the project site. Moreover, several have significant utilities and installation requirements which are unique to a specific model and manufacturer and impact the design and engineering of a hospital. Should a more recent technology emerge in the interim, changing the hospital plans, designs and related budget can result in overall time and cost overruns. Every one of these factors need proper attention.

More regularly than not, hospitals delay equipment selection till much later because the construction reaches an enhanced stage. It's obviously that the medical equipment planner clarifies to the client / project team the negative outcomes of the resulting in delay or change of decisions mid way only at that late stage.

A medical equipment planner often faces pressure from clinicians regarding specific brands, models and vendors. This problem can be mitigated by preparing equipment standards and generic features/specifications ideal for the hospital vis a vis its degree of services, type of patients expected in the hospital, competition, budget, procurement philosophy, etc. whereby the method of planning and procurement can be unbiased and on track.

Owner bids need to undergo a comprehensive techno-commercial analysis. Many a times this is overlooked. In which a new technology is offered, the assessment ought to be objective and should atleast meet all of the specified requirements. Any extra costs ought to be well justified to ensure that this does not disrupt the related operational activities or negatively impact the project time lines unless the benefits are overwhelming.