Electro-medical servicing: Quality maintenance

Abstract

Electro-medical servicing in the National Health Service has been provided at varying standards and by differing organisations throughout the country. Typical organisations are examined. A number of workable schemes have appeared, but the necessity for co-operation of various groups of staff is evident. Such schemes must be tailored to fit local clinical requirements and to optimise local resources. Any service must include adequate record-keeping, safety testing, calibration, and routine and breakdown maintenance. The services of the manufacturer may be involved at any or all stages, together with careful monitoring of costs. The provision of technical advice to assist in the selection of new equipment, and acceptance testing of that equipment on delivery are valuable. It becomes increasingly important to ensure that modern technology is used to effect an improvement in patient care.